Evaluation of frequency of paediatric oral liquid medication dosing errors by caregivers: amoxicillin and josamycin

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Pharmacology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Liquid oral medications are common in pediatric care.
• Accurate reconstitution and dosing are crucial for therapeutic efficacy and safety.
• Caregiver errors in medication preparation can lead to significant under- or overdosing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the frequency and nature of reconstitution and preparation dosing errors made by caregivers when administering liquid oral medications to children.
• To identify factors associated with these medication errors.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study was conducted in pediatric departments.
• Caregivers were interviewed regarding the practical reconstitution and preparation of randomly selected oral liquid medications (amoxicillin and josamycin).
• A questionnaire assessed caregiver medication use patterns.

Main Results:

• High rates of incorrect reconstitution were observed: 46% for amoxicillin and 56% for josamycin.
• Dose preparation errors occurred in 56% of cases using a dosing spoon and 10% using a dose-weight pipette.
• Factors like female sex, native French speaker status, and age were linked to correct reconstitution, while male sex and medication type influenced preparation accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver errors in reconstituting and preparing liquid oral medications for children are common, posing risks of incorrect dosing.
• Identified factors associated with errors can inform targeted educational strategies for families.
• Optimizing caregiver education is essential to improve the safe use of liquid oral medications in pediatric populations.