Assessment of Medication Errors in Pediatricinpatient Department of a Private Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the overall rate and incidence of medication errors in pediatric inpatients and to determine the importance of pharmacist participation in medication errors. Methods:A prospective observational study has been conducted in a 'private children's hospital' for 6 mo at Warangal, Telangana. Patients who are ≤18 y were considered. Data were collected from patient records, direct communication with the patient and their caregivers.Results: Among 400 patients with 2,461 medication orders, 1381(56%) errors were found. Patients were more exposed to AME (33.7) caused by the nursing staff, followed by PME-21.5, CME-0.6, DME-0.2 in incidence with the 95% CI. Conclusion:Pediatric patients are more exposed to administration errors and prescribing errors. Pediatricians and Pharmacists should develop effective programs for safe administration of medications, report medication errors, eliminate barriers in reporting medication errors, encourage a non-punitive reporting culture and create an environment of medication safety for all hospitalized pediatric patients.

Evaluation of Prescribing Indicators for Peadiatric Outpatients Under Six Years Old in District Hospitals of Can Tho City in the Period of 2015-2016

“…Children are among the most vulnerable part of our society. Medication errors cause more harm in children compared to adult counterparts [1].…”