Use of checking systems in medicines administration with children and young people

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Medication Safety
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Medication administration errors pose risks to pediatric patients.
• Standardized checking procedures are crucial for patient safety.
• Current policies for medication checks in UK children's units require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine current medication administration checking policies in UK pediatric settings.
• To review evidence supporting various medication checking strategies.
• To inform best practices for medication safety in children's healthcare.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was distributed to 105 children's nurses and pharmacists across 69 UK hospitals.
• Data collected focused on existing policies and practices for medication administration checks.
• Analysis involved summarizing reported checking procedures and relevant evidence.

Main Results:

• The majority of oral and intravenous medication administrations were verified by two registered children's nurses.
• Current practices indicate a prevalent use of double-checking.
• Evidence supports the judicious use of single or double checking based on risk assessment.

Conclusions:

• UK children's units predominantly utilize double-checking by registered children's nurses for medication administration.
• Risk assessment should guide the selection between single and double checking.
• Further rigorous research is essential to optimize medication administration checking processes in pediatric care.