Assessing medication prescribing errors in pediatric intensive care units*

Abstract

A benchmark for medication prescribing errors in the PICU was identified among nine children's hospitals. The methodology was successful in accounting for site-specific differences with regard to identifying and documenting errors as well as reporting results of improvement initiatives. Furthermore, the methodology employed was generalizable in the identification of predominant prescribing error types, which helped to track individual hospital improvement initiative development and implementation. Overall improvement in prescribing error rates was noted; however, considerable variation in the success of improvement initiatives was noted and bears further attention.

Evaluation of an improvement strategy on the incidence of medication prescribing errors in a pediatric intensive care unit

“…This incidence falls on the lower limit described in the literature, which ranges from 11% to 39% 7,8 and can reach up to 78%, as shown by Alagha et al 11 Incidence by type of error differs in the literature depending on the classification used. Thus, Otero et al 12 submitted similar values for the absence of modification time and for the omission of a given drug during the preintervention period, of 42% and 13%, respectively.…”

“…In Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), MPE rates range from 11% to 39%. 7,8 It is essential to develop within the ICUs a culture which promotes and encourages the implementation of preventive measures tending to reduce MPE rates, as well as the need to elucidate and communicate the error identified, as an opportunity to learn and improve patients' safety.…”

Evaluación de una estrategia de mejora sobre la incidencia de errores en la prescripción de medicamentos en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos

“…Esta se encuentra en el límite inferior del descrito por la bibliografía, que va desde el 11% al 39% 7,8 y puede llegar hasta el 78%, como lo reflejan Alagha y col.…”

“…En las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP), las tasas de EPM van desde el 11 al 39%. 7,8 Es fundamental crear una cultura dentro de las UCI que promueva y estimule la implementación de medidas preventivas que tiendan a disminuir las tasas de EPM, así como la necesidad de transparentar y comunicar el error, al identificarlo como una oportunidad de aprender y mejorar la seguridad de los pacientes.…”

Electronic Prescribing Systems in Pediatrics: The Rationale and Functionality Requirements

“…27 In academic pediatric critical care settings, prescribing error rates of 11% to 30% were observed, compared with 6% of prescription errors in an internal medicine setting. 10,39,40 The evidence for error reduction in pediatric patients using computerized systems is not yet robust. A recent Cochrane review 41 concluded that limited data from randomized trials exist on which to assess the effects of clinical decision-support systems in neonatal care.…”