Medication errors in pediatric nursing: assessment of nurses' knowledge and analysis of the consequences of errors

The purposes of this study were (i) to evaluate pediatric nurses' knowledge of pharmacology, and (ii) to analyze known pediatric administration errors.

Medication errors occur frequently and ubiquitously, but medication errors involving pediatric patients attract special attention for their high incidence and injury rates.

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire with 20 true-false questions regarding pharmacology was used to evaluate nurses' knowledge, and the known pediatric administration errors were reported by nurses.

The overall correct answer rate on the knowledge of pharmacology was 72.9% (n=262). Insufficient knowledge (61.5%) was the leading obstacle nurses encountered when administering medications. Of 141 pediatric medication errors, more than 60% (61.0%) of which were wrong doses, 9.2% of the children involved suffered serious consequences.

Evidence-based results demonstrate that pediatric nurses have insufficient knowledge of pharmacology. Such strategies as providing continuing education and double-checking dosages are suggested.