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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
The unintended consequences of being friendly: a case study
Mary Reich Cooper1, Cathy E Duquette, Terrence McWilliams
1Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. mcooper@lifespan.org
Summary
Baby-friendly hospitals may pose medication error risks during early infant bonding. Physical separation during medication administration, not just the "5 rights," is crucial for patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare safety
- Pediatric medicine
- Maternal-infant care
Background:
- Baby-friendly certification promotes immediate mother-infant bonding post-birth.
- Complications requiring intravenous (IV) lines and medications for both mother and infant can increase risks during bonding.
- Existing literature on IV medication safety does not cover this specific bonding-related error.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and address medication administration risks associated with immediate post-birth physical bonding in baby-friendly hospitals.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current medication safety protocols in preventing errors during mother-infant physical bonding.
Main Methods:
- A case study analysis of a medication error at a New England baby-friendly hospital.
- Review of existing literature on intravenous (IV) medication safety and patient identification.
Main Results:
- Early physical bonding inadvertently placed an infant at risk for medication error due to misidentified IV lines.
- An infant received a medication intended for the mother, highlighting a gap in current safety protocols.
- Technological solutions were insufficient to prevent this specific type of error.
Conclusions:
- Physical separation of mother and infant during medication administration is more effective than the "5 rights" alone in preventing this error.
- Brief separation does not negate the benefits of bonding and has proven effective in preventing subsequent medication errors.
- Hospitals should reconsider bonding practices when IV medications are involved to enhance patient safety.
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