# AI miscalculates IV pump rate for dopamine infusion using wrong concentration factor, leading to potential overdose

- **ID:** `medical/iv-pump-rate-calculation-error`
- **Domain:** medical
- **Category:** data_error
- **Error Code:** `DOPA-CONC-ERR-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

Dopamine is typically supplied as 400 mg/250 mL (1.6 mg/mL) or 800 mg/250 mL (3.2 mg/mL), but AI assumes a standard concentration of 1 mg/mL, causing a 60% or 220% error in infusion rate calculation for common dosing (5-20 mcg/kg/min).

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Alaris PCU v6.0 | active | — | — |
| Baxter Sigma Spectrum v8.1 | active | — | — |
| Braun Infusomat Space v2.5 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Always verify IV drug concentration from pharmacy label before programming pump; use a standardized calculator like 'MedCalc' or 'MDCalc' that requires both drug amount and diluent volume** (90% success)
   ```
   Always verify IV drug concentration from pharmacy label before programming pump; use a standardized calculator like 'MedCalc' or 'MDCalc' that requires both drug amount and diluent volume
   ```
2. **Implement a two-nurse verification protocol: one calculates, the other independently recalculates using a different method (e.g., infusion rate = (dose x weight x 60) / concentration)** (85% success)
   ```
   Implement a two-nurse verification protocol: one calculates, the other independently recalculates using a different method (e.g., infusion rate = (dose x weight x 60) / concentration)
   ```
3. **Use smart pump drug library (e.g., Alaris Guardrails) that auto-calculates rate based on selected drug and concentration; override only after double-check** (95% success)
   ```
   Use smart pump drug library (e.g., Alaris Guardrails) that auto-calculates rate based on selected drug and concentration; override only after double-check
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Pump programming is often correct; the error is in the concentration factor used in the calculation, not the pump entry itself (70% fail)
- **** — This concentration is rarely used in ICU; standard is 250 mL bags; using wrong volume compounds the error (60% fail)
- **** — The dose itself may be correct, but the rate-to-concentration conversion is flawed; proportional adjustment propagates the error (55% fail)