Vancomycin Prescribing | Right Decisions

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Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Grampian, Orkney & Shetland
Vancomycin Prescribing

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Children and Neonates

Refer to RACH / AMH guidance [intranet links only]

Adults

Refer to the full vancomycin guideline for adults for further details on prescribing, administering and monitoring.

Use the adult calculator choosing the 'Intermittent' option

Continuous infusion of vancomycin is only prescribed in high dependency areas.

It is good practice to print a copy of the result if possible. The printed vancomycin dose calculation should be filed with the patient's vancomycin prescription and administration record.

Prescribe vancomycin on the (green) vancomycin prescription, administration and monitoring chart - available on wards or via your ward pharmacist. If your ward area use HEPMA, vancomycin must also be prescribed as a 'PRN' selecting 'Vancomycin (ADULTS) Infusion AS PER PAPER CHART' with the dose entered as ‘1 dose’ and the frequency field left blank.

Vancomycin dosage calculator