Does Your Facility Have The Right Broselow Tape?

Please note that this newsletter applies to all accredited QUAD A programs that treat children. 

The Broselow Rainbow Tape is a color-coded length-based tape measure. A child's height, measured on the tape, corresponds to a color zone and a weight range. This color zone provides pre-calculated information for medication dosages, equipment sizes, and other relevant emergency procedures. It reduces the time needed to calculate dosages and equipment sizes in a critical emergency.

You may be aware that the 2025 edition of the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape, manufactured under the Air Life brand, Revision 2, 36-23446, Print Version Broselow Rainbow Tape, has been recalled due to incorrect information printed on the tape. This issue may impact the accuracy of weight-based dosing and equipment selection during pediatric emergencies. Air Life and Armstrong Medical have issued an official recall of the affected products.  Users are advised to immediately discontinue use, quarantine any remaining stock, and follow the instructions outlined in the recall documentation. The recalled issue was corrected in Revision 3, 36-23446; however, it was recently identified that typos exist in the current version, leading to incorrect dosing in the calculation basis section.

Incorrect dosing identified typo errors:

• Under Pre-RSI Neuromuscular Blockers, Vecuronium is listed as 0.1 mg/mL. It should read 0.1 mg/kg with a maximum dose of 0.2 mg.

• Under Toxicology, Flumazenil is listed as 0.1 mL/kg. It should be 0.01 mL/kg.

Some facilities have crossed out the incorrect information and/or added a sticker or tape over the typo with the correct dose, which is not without risk. Facilities should meet with key staff to discuss the risk and determine mitigation strategies.   The dosing of these medications in the colored sections is correct; it is only in the dosing reference in the calculation basis section.   

Information related to the FDA recall can be found here.

Thank you for your continued dedication to safety and excellence. 

Please email any questions to standards@quada.org.  

Since 1980, QUAD A (a non-profit, physician-founded and led global accreditation organization) has worked with thousands of healthcare facilities to standardize and improve the quality of healthcare they provide – believing that patient safety should always come first.