MgSO4 Dosing & Dilution Aid

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is one of the 13 priority commodities of the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities (UNCoLSC). Its application in maternal health is as a prophylactic agent in severe pre-eclampsia, preventing progression to eclampsia, and treatment for convulsions in eclampsia. While standard guidelines for the preparation and provision of MgSO4 exist, numerous available formulations can make it challenging for health care providers to recall the appropriate dilution and dosing of MgSO4 in emergent situations.

Recognizing this challenge, PATH, in partnership with the University of Washington, designed and tested a wireframe (mock up) of a mobile phone-based MgSO4 dosing and dilution job aid for health workers providing treatment for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. The design-stage user evaluation was conducted in Kenya and had positive findings. Accordingly, PATH built upon the successful findings to fully develop, verify and launch the application (available for free download).

Using the mandate of and resources available through UNCoLSC, PATH leveraged the services of HealthEnabled and Moi University's Institute of Biomedical Informatics to develop the app.

The application is solely a guide and the organizations involved in its development are not subject to any liability associated with this application or its use or adaptation.