Drug administration errors in paediatric wards: a direct observation approach

Chua, S.S. and Chua, H.M. and Omar, A. (2010) Drug administration errors in paediatric wards: a direct observation approach. European Journal of Pediatrics, 169 (5). pp. 603-611. ISSN 0340-6199,

[img] PDF
Chua-2010-Drug_administration.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (156kB)

Abstract

Paediatric patients are more vulnerable to drug administration errors due to a lack of appropriate drug dosages and strengths for use in this group of patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the extent and types of drug administration errors in two paediatric wards and to identify measures to reduce such errors. A researcher was stationed in two paediatric wards of a teaching hospital to observe all drugs administered to paediatric inpatients in each of the ward, for 1 day in a week over ten consecutive weeks. All data were recorded in a data collection form and then compared with the actual drugs and dosages prescribed for the patients. Of the 857 drug administrations observed, 100 doses had errors, and this gave an error rate of 11.7 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.5-13.9%. If wrong time administration errors were excluded, the error rate reduced to 7.8% (95% CI 6.0-9.6%). The most common types of drug administration errors were incorrect time of administration (28.8%), followed by incorrect drug preparation (26%), omission errors (16.3%) and incorrect dose (11.5%). None of the errors observed were considered as potentially life threatening, although 40.4% could possibly cause patient harm. Drug administration errors are as common in paediatric wards in Malaysia as in other countries. Double-checking should be conducted, as this could reduce drug administration errors by about 20%, but collaborative efforts between all healthcare professionals are essential.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: 567CY Times Cited:6 Cited References Count:44
Uncontrolled Keywords: drug administration error medication error paediatric safety intensive-care-unit medication errors prevention events facilities inpatients hospitals nurses
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Ms azrahani halim
Date Deposited: 24 Jan 2014 14:31
Last Modified: 21 Dec 2014 08:58
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/9084

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item