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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
06:59

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Acetaminophen dose accuracy and pediatric emergency care

Joseph D Losek1

  • 1Children's Hospitals and Clinics-St. Paul, Emergency Department, 345 North Smith Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102, USA. joseph.losek@childrenshc.org

Pediatric Emergency Care
|May 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Emergency department acetaminophen use in children revealed that 12% received supratherapeutic doses. The rectal route was significantly associated with higher acetaminophen doses, warranting a review of dosing accuracy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Drug Safety

Background:

  • Acetaminophen is commonly used for fever in pediatric emergency departments.
  • Standing orders streamline medication administration but require careful monitoring for accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize children receiving acetaminophen via emergency department standing orders.
  • To identify factors linked to supratherapeutic acetaminophen doses (>or=16 mg/kg).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, cross-sectional study of children treated with acetaminophen.
  • Data collected from an urban children's hospital emergency department over one week.

Main Results:

  • 156 (24%) of 661 children received acetaminophen; 41% were under 2 years old.
  • 12% of children received supratherapeutic doses (>=16 mg/kg).
  • The rectal route of administration was significantly more common in children receiving supratherapeutic doses.

Conclusions:

  • Dosing accuracy for acetaminophen, especially via the rectal route, needs review in EDs using standing orders.
  • Ensuring appropriate acetaminophen dosing is crucial for pediatric patient safety.
Abstract

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