Brian Murray1, Matthew J Streitz2, Michael Hilliard2, Joseph K Maddry3. 1. 1 Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2. 2 San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA. 3. 3 US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adverse medication events are a potential source of significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients, where dosages frequently rely on weight-based formulas. The most frequent occurrence of medication errors occurs during the ordering phase. METHODS: Through a prospective cohort analysis, we followed medication errors through patient safety reports (PSRs) to determine if the use of a medication dosage calculator would reduce the number of PSRs per patient visits. RESULTS: The number of PSRs for medication errors per patient visit occurring due to errors in ordering decreased from 10/28 417 to 1/17 940, a decrease by a factor of 6.31, with a χ2 value of 4.063, P = .0463. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of an electronic dosing calculator is able to reduce the number of medication errors, thereby reducing the potential for serious pediatric adverse medication events.
INTRODUCTION: Adverse medication events are a potential source of significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients, where dosages frequently rely on weight-based formulas. The most frequent occurrence of medication errors occurs during the ordering phase. METHODS: Through a prospective cohort analysis, we followed medication errors through patient safety reports (PSRs) to determine if the use of a medication dosage calculator would reduce the number of PSRs per patient visits. RESULTS: The number of PSRs for medication errors per patient visit occurring due to errors in ordering decreased from 10/28 417 to 1/17 940, a decrease by a factor of 6.31, with a χ2 value of 4.063, P = .0463. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of an electronic dosing calculator is able to reduce the number of medication errors, thereby reducing the potential for serious pediatric adverse medication events.
Authors: Charlotte Koldeweij; Jonathan Clarke; Joppe Nijman; Calandra Feather; Saskia N de Wildt; Nicholas Appelbaum Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-12-13 Impact factor: 5.428