There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Iatrogenic injuries, including medication errors, are an important problem in all
hospitalized populations. However, few epidemiological data are available regarding
medication errors in the pediatric inpatient setting.
To assess the rates of medication errors, adverse drug events (ADEs), and potential
ADEs; to compare pediatric rates with previously reported adult rates; to analyze
the major types of errors; and to evaluate the potential impact of prevention strategies.
Prospective cohort study of 1120 patients admitted to 2 academic institutions during
6 weeks in April and May of 1999.
Medication errors, potential ADEs, and ADEs were identified by clinical staff reports
and review of medication order sheets, medication administration records, and patient
charts.
We reviewed 10 778 medication orders and found 616 medication errors (5.7%), 115 potential
ADEs (1.1%), and 26 ADEs (0.24%). Of the 26 ADEs, 5 (19%) were preventable. While
the preventable ADE rate was similar to that of a previous adult hospital study, the
potential ADE rate was 3 times higher. The rate of potential ADEs was significantly
higher in neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Most potential ADEs occurred
at the stage of drug ordering (79%) and involved incorrect dosing (34%), anti-infective
drugs (28%), and intravenous medications (54%). Physician reviewers judged that computerized
physician order entry could potentially have prevented 93% and ward-based clinical
pharmacists 94% of potential ADEs.
Medication errors are common in pediatric inpatient settings, and further efforts
are needed to reduce them.