I'm afraid that there are many healthcare professionals who are ignorant
of the Celsius temperature scale. If you should happen across a
pharmacist who is ignorant of it, that would be a tragedy.
Recently, I was instrumental in getting a form changed at my hospital so
that it no longer requests the patient weight in pounds OR kilograms.
Sadly, I could only get it changed to pounds, but at least that may
prevent someone from entering a lb. figure when kg were meant, or vice
versa. It is possible for someone to weigh over 100 kg, so, let us say,
the number 128 could mean either a trim person (lb.) or a very obese
person (kg). If someone writes 128 kg but means pounds, the dose of a
drug could be calculated which is far in excess of the correct dose for
that patient. Funny thing is, even with the "kg" box gone, nurses will
still go ahead and write the kg weight in, giving the proper units (kg).
IMHO, It is a cavalier attitude about measurement systems that could be
dangerous.
I maintain that the adoption of SI in the United States, even on a small
scale (healthcare), requires, first of all, inspiration. It has to be a
matter of motivation, and it has to be across all sectors of a group or
an organization. If we can instill fear everywhere, such as the fear we
generated over Y2K, we should be able to instill knowledge (of SI) as
well. We can't have just a few people in one enterprise devoted to the
use of one standard of measurement when too many others just do not
care.
--
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122
Midland TX 79707-2872 USA
(915)-694-6208
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
