New medication dosing system for keiki will prevent dosing errors

Hawai‘i Department of Health has deployed a new medication dosing system statewide which prevents dosing errors in children.

Officials with the Emergency Medical Services Injury Prevention System Branch of the Hawai‘i Department of Health say the new technology is a mobile application providing rapid access to medication dosing guidelines for children, and documents the medications and doses given in the child’s medical record.

“We are excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to front line EMS clinicians in Hawai‘i. EMS personnel will now have access to the latest lifesaving tools and techniques, ultimately leading to more lives saved,” said Dr. Alvin C. Bronstein, chief of the DOH Emergency Medical Services Injury Prevention System Branch. “This unique initiative focuses on the special needs of sick and injured children and represents a significant milestone in the state’s delivery of pre-hospital pediatric emergency care.”

Beginning in May, the Department of Health will conduct training courses in each county to certify 35 EMS personnel, to educate more than 300 paramedics across the state in how to use the system. The courses will ensure EMS personnel know how to care for children with greater accuracy and confidence.

This new medication dosing system is federally funded thanks to late Hawai‘i U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who championed the legislation to create the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children program, which works to improve emergency care for children nationwide.