IV Therapy Bonus Cards, Illustration Credits

Rate Calculation

Common Drop Factors

Macrodrops

• 10 gtt = 1 mL
• 15 gtt = 1 mL
• 20 gtt = 1 mL

Microdrops

• 60 mcgtt = 1 mL

1. To calculate volume/hour
   Total volume ÷ Administration time = mL (volume) ÷ hour
   Example: 1000 mL ÷ 8 hours = 125 mL/hour
2. To calculate drops/minute (gravity)—Macrodrop infusion
   X gtt/min = hourly volume × gtt factor of tubing / Time in minutes (60)
   Example: 125 mL/hour × 15 (gtt factor) / 60 (minutes) = 31 gtt/min
3. To calculate drops/minute microdrop infusion
   (note: EIDs are microdrip mL/hour versus gtt/min)
   hourly volume × 60 mcgtt tubing / 60 (time in minutes) = mL/hour
   Example: 100 mL/hr × 60 / 60 (minute) = 100 mL/hour
4. To calculate secondary infusion (infusions less than 1 hour)
   mL/hour × microdrop set (60) / hours volume (varies) = mL/hour
   Example: 50 mL × 60 / 5 minutes = 30,000 / 15 = 200 mL/hour
   (will deliver the ordered 50 mL in 15 minutes)