Is a bolus dose and stat does the same?

Answer 1

A bolus dose and stat dose are NOT necessarily the same thing.

A bolus dose is typically pre-packaged nowadays and is a pre-measured liquid dose intended to give at one time via IV. Different drugs that are used as bolus doses have different administration rates as well; for example, one type of drug may be fine to push completely but other drugs must be delivered in part, with time separating each push of the syringe.

A stat dose can be delivered orally, rectally, IM, SubQ, or by IV. Technically, you could receive a physician's order to give a "Stat dose of aspirin". Stat does not necessarily mean an emergency or life-threatening situation, though most stat orders come during emergency or critical care situations. Stat simply means "do this now; immediately."

You could see orders for:

stat bloodwork

stat urinalysis

stat EKG

stat administration of an injectable

stat administration of an IV bolus

stat administration of a piggy-back IV

etc.