Pediatric Medication Errors Are Common in a Paper System

In this U.K. study, the incidence of prescribing errors was 13% and the incidence of administration errors was 19% in hospitals without electronic records.

The risk for medication errors in children is high because of the complexity of dosing and challenges in administration. In a prospective review of inpatient pediatric records at five U.K. hospitals (1 pediatric teaching, 1 general nonteaching, and 3 general teaching), investigators examined the incidence of errors in prescription and drug administration. None of the hospitals had electronic records.

During the 22-week study period, 391 prescription errors were identified among 2955 medication orders (overall error rate, 13%). The rate of errors varied among the five hospitals and the different services within the hospitals. The most common prescribing errors were incomplete prescriptions, use of abbreviations, and incorrect dosing. During o…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)