Medication errors in children

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2006 Dec;53(6):1155-68. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2006.09.005.

Abstract

Medication error is a major source of iatrogenic injuries in children. Dosing errors are the most common type of medication errors in pediatrics. Sicker patients in intensive care units and emergency departments are more often harmed by such errors. Strategies that have been found to be effective in reducing medication errors include the use of computerized physician order entry systems, preprinted order forms, and color-coded systems. Adopting the "systems approach" to medication errors is crucial to every health system where practitioners seek to enhance patient safety.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Decision Support Systems, Clinical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medical Order Entry Systems
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control*
  • Medication Errors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk Factors