1. Calculating IV Infusion and Completion Times
Chapter 17
Calculating IV Infusion and Completion Times

2. Definitions Infusion time Completion time
Time required for IV solution to infuse completely
Completion time
Actual hour and/or minute infusion bag, bottle, or syringe finishes or empties

3. Purposes of Calculating IV Times
To have additional solutions prescribed, prepared in advance, and ready at-hand
To discontinue IV when infusion complete
To label IV bag with start, progress, and completion time
To monitor and adjust infusion to keep it on schedule

4. Purposes of Calculating IV Times
Laboratory values sometimes made before, during, or after specified amounts of IV solutions have infused

5. Calculating Infusion Time
Divide volume to be infused by mL/hr flow rate

6. Calculating Infusion Time: Example
Calculate infusion time for IV of 1000 mL to infuse at 100 mL/hr

7. Fractional Hours
Converted to min by multiplying 60 min by fractional hour obtained

8. Fractional Hours: Example
Calculate infusion time for 500 mL at 75 mL/hr
IV will infuse in 6 hours and 40 min

9. Calculating Completion Time
Add infusion time to time IV was started
Military or standard

10. Military Time Used by most acute care facilities for uniformity
Avoids confusion if a.m. or p.m. absent or unclear

11. Military Time
Based on 24 hours on day clock with no repetition of hour numbers
Written in four-digit numbers
After noon, each hour added to 12

12. Military Time 2400 = midnight 0100 = 1:00 a.m. 0200 = 2:00 a.m.

13. Military Time 0700 = 7:00 a.m. 0800 = 8:00 a.m. 0900 = 9:00 a.m.
1200 = 12:00 p.m.
1300 = 1:00 p.m.

14. Military Time 1400 = 2:00 p.m. 1500 = 3:00 p.m. 1600 = 4:00 p.m.

15. Military Time
2100 = 9:00 p.m.
2200 = 10:00 p.m.
2300 = 11:00 p.m.

16. Military Time: Example
Calculate completion time for 500 mL at 75 mL/hr that started at 0800 (8:00 a.m.)

17. Military Time: Example
Infusion time = 6 hours and 40 min
Add infusion time to IV start time
hr and 40 min = 1440 (2:40 p.m.)

18. Labeling IV Solution Bags
Allows for monitoring of amount of remaining fluid
Begins at top level of fluid

19. Labeling IV Solution Bags
Commercially prepared labels available
Though can be prepared locally by using tape that is:
Easy to write on
Easy to read
Wide enough to contain written times

20. Labeling IV Solution Bags: Example
IV of 1000 mL prescribed at rate of 150 mL/hr
Started at 2400 (midnight)
Tape bag with start, progress, and completion times

21. Labeling IV Solution Bags: Example
1000 mL – 150 mL = 850 mL
0200 label
850 mL – 150 mL = 700 mL
0300 label
700 mL – 150 mL = 550 mL

22. Labeling IV Solution Bags: Example
550 mL – 150 mL = 400 mL
0500 label
400 mL – 150 mL = 250 mL
0600 label
250 mL – 150 mL = 100 mL

23. Labeling IV Solution Bags: Example
Calculate infusion time for remaining 100 mL

24. Labeling IV Solution Bags: Example
of 0640 (6:40 a.m.)