How to calculate IV flow rates:

Intravenous fluid must be given at a specific rate, neither too fast nor too slow. The
specific rate may be measured as ml/hour, L/hour or drops/min. To control or adjust
the flow rate only drops per minute are used.
The burette contains a needle or plastic dropper which gives the number of drops per
ml (the drop factor). A number of different drop factors are available (determined by
the length and diameter of the needle).
Common drop factors are:
10 drops/ml (blood set), 15 drops / ml (regular set), 60 drops / ml (microdrop).
To measure the rate we must know:
(a) the number of drops
(b) time in minutes.
The formula for working out flow rates is:
volume (ml) X drop factor (gtts / ml)
---------------------------------------------
time (min)
= gtts / min
(flow rate)
Example:
1500 ml IV Saline is ordered over 12 hours. Using a drop factor of 15 drops / ml, how
many drops per minute need to be delivered?
1500 (ml) X 15 (gttss / ml)
---------------------------------------------------
12 x 60 (gives us total minutes)
= 31 gtts / minute
To time tape an IV you may make your own time tape with adhesive tape or use pre-made labels:
Place a strip of adhesive tape along the fluid level marking lines.
At the top of the strip - label the time the bag of fluid was started.
Knowing the hourly infusion rate - mark each hour on the tape that corresponds with the level of fluid marks on the IV bag.
At the bottom of the strip - mark the time at which the solution will be completely infused.
INK ALERT: Never write directly on an IV solution container with a felt tip type marker; the ink may leach into the solution.
The following illustration demonstrates a bag to be initiated at 9am. The infusion rate is 100mls per hour. The liter of fluid to infuse at
100mls per hour should be complete in 10 hours, or 7pm.