2002-12-07 That is not news to us. We figured this was happening. But, for some reasons the hospitals don't consider the errors important enough to do something about it. At least now, it has received some press. Even though it was only a once sentence blurb.
In order to correct the situation, the hospitals across the country will have to convert en-masse all of their scales used to weigh patients as well as record all data in SI units only. Even clinics and doctors offices will have the change so that everyone in the medical profession is speaking the same language. I'm sure if the issue is pushed, resistance will arise in the form of the millions it will cost to change those scales. There will most likely be an outcry from the scale distributors. They will insist that hospitals use the same type of scale sold to other institutions. If the hospitals, doctors offices and clinics are forced to use only metric scales and record all data in metric, it will cause scale distributors to have to stock two different types and manufactures to manufacture two different types, increasing costs. Of course the real solution to all of this is to mass convert all scales no matter where they are used. But, to use a common expression, it will be a cold day in hell until that happens. We have to face the facts. America would rather sacrifice its children for the sake of an obsolete measurement system then do the sensible thing and metricate. We are a real ignorant people. We deserve the fate we have chosen. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harry Wyeth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Jeff Hardin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, 2002-12-05 00:42 Subject: [USMA:23804] Infant mortality > There was an article in today's Wall St Journal about injuries to and > deaths of children in the US due to incorrect drug dosages resulting from > "a miscalculation when converting weight in pounds to kilograms...." > > This was news to me. Are drug dosages determined routinely by noting the > weight of the patient in kg, in the USA? > > HARRY WYETH > >
