H K Simon1, D A Weinkle. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Egleston Children's Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., USA. hsimon@emory.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate caregiver (parent or guardian) use of over-the-counter medications (OTCs) as related to the accuracy and correctness of dosing for children seen at a pediatric emergency department with nonemergent concerns. DESIGN: Prospective patient series. SETTING: A tertiary care pediatric emergency center. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of children with nonemergent chief complaints. INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire about general demographic characteristics, recent OTC use, and medical history of the patients was given to each caregiver. A mock scenario was then presented that required the caregivers to determine and measure a correct dose of acetaminophen for their child. A dose of 9 to 16.5 mg/kg was considered correct. Accuracy of measuring was considered within +/-20% of the caregivers' stated intended dose for their child. RESULTS: One hundred caregivers were enrolled in the study. Mean caregivers' age was 29 years, with 82% having at least a high school education. Seventy-seven percent of their children used OTCs within the previous 2 months, and Tylenol (acetaminophen) was the most commonly used. While 66% of the caregivers reported Tylenol use, only 8% reported the use of acetaminophen. During the dosing scenario, only 40% of the caregivers stated an appropriate dose for their child and only 67% accurately measured the amount of acetaminophen they intended. Forty-three percent measured out a correct amount of acetaminophen for their child. However, almost one third of these occurred strictly by accident because they inaccurately measured an improper intended dose. Combining these results, only 30% of the caregivers were able to demonstrate both an accurately measured and correct dose for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Although a large number of caregivers administer OTCs, knowledge of these medications, and accuracy and correctness of dosing remain a marked concern. Improved caregiver education on the accuracy and correctness of dosing OTCs is necessary.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate caregiver (parent or guardian) use of over-the-counter medications (OTCs) as related to the accuracy and correctness of dosing for children seen at a pediatric emergency department with nonemergent concerns. DESIGN: Prospective patient series. SETTING: A tertiary care pediatric emergency center. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of children with nonemergent chief complaints. INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire about general demographic characteristics, recent OTC use, and medical history of the patients was given to each caregiver. A mock scenario was then presented that required the caregivers to determine and measure a correct dose of acetaminophen for their child. A dose of 9 to 16.5 mg/kg was considered correct. Accuracy of measuring was considered within +/-20% of the caregivers' stated intended dose for their child. RESULTS: One hundred caregivers were enrolled in the study. Mean caregivers' age was 29 years, with 82% having at least a high school education. Seventy-seven percent of their children used OTCs within the previous 2 months, and Tylenol (acetaminophen) was the most commonly used. While 66% of the caregivers reported Tylenol use, only 8% reported the use of acetaminophen. During the dosing scenario, only 40% of the caregivers stated an appropriate dose for their child and only 67% accurately measured the amount of acetaminophen they intended. Forty-three percent measured out a correct amount of acetaminophen for their child. However, almost one third of these occurred strictly by accident because they inaccurately measured an improper intended dose. Combining these results, only 30% of the caregivers were able to demonstrate both an accurately measured and correct dose for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Although a large number of caregivers administer OTCs, knowledge of these medications, and accuracy and correctness of dosing remain a marked concern. Improved caregiver education on the accuracy and correctness of dosing OTCs is necessary.
Authors: Tiene Bauters; Barbara Claus; Elsie Willems; Johan De Porre; Joris Verlooy; Yves Benoit; Hugo Robays Journal: Int J Clin Pharm Date: 2012-07-10
Authors: H Shonna Yin; Benard P Dreyer; Hannah A Moreira; Linda van Schaick; Luis Rodriguez; Susanne Boettger; Alan L Mendelsohn Journal: Acad Pediatr Date: 2014 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.107
Authors: H Shonna Yin; Benard P Dreyer; Donna C Ugboaja; Dayana C Sanchez; Ian M Paul; Hannah A Moreira; Luis Rodriguez; Alan L Mendelsohn Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-07-14 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: H Shonna Yin; Ruth M Parker; Lee M Sanders; Alan Mendelsohn; Benard P Dreyer; Stacy Cooper Bailey; Deesha A Patel; Jessica J Jimenez; Kwang-Youn A Kim; Kara Jacobson; Michelle C J Smith; Laurie Hedlund; Nicole Meyers; Terri McFadden; Michael S Wolf Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2017-07 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Leigh M Howard; José A Tique; Sandra Gaveta; Mohsin Sidat; Russell L Rothman; Sten H Vermund; Philip J Ciampa Journal: AIDS Date: 2014-04-24 Impact factor: 4.177