2 m = 200 cm = 2000 mm. So, measuring and recording in millimeters
takes only one more digit and avoids a decimal point and provides more
precision in whole numbers.
In digital storage systems for people measurements, using mm is more
efficient in practical applications since you are dealing only with one unit
(mm) and not m and cm. This also avoids misunderstanding/confusion and
simplifies operations.
A similar argument applies in recording mass (kg and g) for people
measurements.
Stan Doore
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Trusten" <[email protected]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:58 PM
Subject: [USMA:42381] Re: Is there any literature on metrication in the US
aimed at immigrants?
Gene and Pat et al.,
The debate over grams and kilograms is evocative of the problem we have
with the poorly related units of ounces and pounds. Why disown the gram
from the kilogram? Aren't they "family"(grin)?
I believe that all of us in a metric America---standards setters,
butchers, bakers, and healthcare professionals--should be able to deal
with grams OR kilograms, and be able to change between them by mere
inspection. As I mentioned, newborns' body masses are measured in grams,
but thereafter, we tend to mentally move that decimal point so we can
calculate milligram-per-kilogram or milligram per square meter of body
surface area doses. For example, if I happen to have to calculate a
milligram-per-kilogram dose of the antibiotic gentamicin for a newborn
that weighs 2470 g, I would use the value 2.5 kg. The power and the
beauty of the decimal SI is that, with the correct symbols, and also with
the knowledge of what (or who) is being measured (i.e., generally, no
newborn weighs 2.5 g; so the number must represent kilograms). Also, in
making these dose calculations, one place beyond the decimal marker is
usually sufficient.
Concerning electronic data entry and storage, I can only use my hospital's
system as an example. All body masses are stated in kilograms in the
heading of the medical record, and all heights are stated there in
centimeters (I think meters would be better, in order to facilitate body
mass index and body surface area calculation; better yet, the system
should calculate and post both values--BSA and BMI-- at the top of the
record). The notation in grams for neonates is usually found in the
supporting documents, i.e., nurses' and physicians' notes.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: 20 January, 2009 14:21
Subject: Re: [USMA:42373] Re: Is there any literature on metrication in
the US aimed at immigrants?
Paul,
Do you have contacts in the Joint Commission who might be persuaded to
adopt "body mass in grams (up to 20 kg) and body mass in kilograms at 20
kg and more than 20 kilograms?
Could there be an electronic data entry and storage problem for lifetime
medical records containing both grams and kilograms?
Gene.
---- Original message ----
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:46:40 -0600
From: "Paul Trusten, R.Ph." <[email protected]>
Subject: [USMA:42373] Re: Is there any literature on metrication in the
US aimed at immigrants?
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Cc: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Gene et al, your answer. Yes, I think you're right, but they wrote:
"Since patient weight is used to calculate most dosing (either as
weight-based
dosing, body surface area calculation, or other age-appropriate dose
determination), all pediatric patients should be weighed in kilograms at
the
time of admission (including outpatient and ambulatory clinics) or within
four
hours of admission in an emergency situation. Kilograms should be the
standard
nomenclature for weight on prescriptions, medical records and staff
communications."
Paul
Quoting [email protected]:
Better: "body mass in kilograms" as in Body Mass Index (BMI).
What is the precise quotation from the Joint Commission?
---- Original message ----
>Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:50:39 -0600
>From: "Paul Trusten, R.Ph." <[email protected]>
>Subject: [USMA:42359] Re: Is there any literature on metrication in
>the US
aimed at immigrants?
>To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
>Cc: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
>
>...
>
>Yes--in the U.S., the Joint Commission (national healthcare
>accrediting
body)
>has issued a guideline stating that all pediatric patients should be
>weighed
in
>kilograms only and their weights stated in kilograms only. (I have
>urged
the JC
>to suggest that ALL patient weights be measured and stated in
>kilograms only
and
>their heights measured and stated in meters only.)
>
>Paul T.
--
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
Public Relations Director
U.S. Metric Association (USMA), Inc.
www.metric.org
3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apartment 122
Midland TX 79707-2872 US
+1(432)528-7724
mailto:[email protected]
