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Medication management of febrile children: a qualitative study on pharmacy employees' experiences
Jacqueline P G Stakenborg1, Eefje G P M de Bont2, Kirsten K B Peetoom1
1Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Pharmacy employees frequently encounter dosing errors in pediatric antibiotic prescriptions. Including the antibiotic
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Medication Safety
Background:
- High antibiotic prescription rates for febrile children contrast with their often self-limiting nature.
- Limited understanding exists regarding pharmacy employees' interactions with parents of febrile children.
- Pharmacy staff play a crucial role in ensuring correct pediatric antibiotic dosages and advising parents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore pharmacists' and pharmacy assistants' experiences with parents seeking medication for febrile children.
- To identify strategies for enhancing medication management in pediatric febrile illnesses.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study involving 24 Dutch community pharmacy employees.
- Four focus group discussions were conducted.
- Data analysis utilized constant comparative technique with open and axial coding.
Main Results:
- Pharmacy employees frequently observe dosing errors and inconsistent information on antibiotic prescriptions.
- These issues lead to increased workload due to necessary communication with physicians.
- Participants identified a need for clearer prescription information, particularly the antibiotic indication.
Conclusions:
- Significant dosing errors are prevalent in pediatric antibiotic prescriptions.
- Including the antibiotic indication on prescriptions, especially for non-standard dosages, can mitigate errors.
- Enhanced communication and collaboration between doctors and pharmacy employees are vital for improving pediatric medication management.
Abstract:
Background While fever is mostly self-limiting, antibiotic prescription rates for febrile children are high. Although every parent who receives a prescription visits a pharmacy, we have limited insight into pharmacy employees' experiences with these parents. Pharmacy employees do however exert an important role in ensuring children receive correct dosages and in advising parents on administration of antibiotics. Objective To describe pharmacists' and pharmacy assistants' experiences with parents contacting a pharmacy for their febrile child, and to identify ways of improving medication management of these children. Setting Community pharmacies in the Netherlands. Method A qualitative study including 24 Dutch pharmacy employees was conducted, performing four focus group discussions among pharmacy employees. Analysis was based on constant comparative technique using open and axial coding. Main outcome measure Pharmacy employees' experiences with parents contacting a pharmacy for their febrile child. Results Three categories were identified: (1) workload and general experience, (2) inconsistent information on antibiotic prescriptions, (3) improving communication and collaboration. Pharmacy employees experienced that dosing errors in antibiotic prescriptions occur frequently and doctors provide inconsistent information on prescriptions. Consequently, they have to contact doctors, resulting in a higher workload for both stakeholders. They believe this can be improved by providing the indication for antibiotics on prescriptions, especially when deviating from standard dosages. Conclusion Pharmacy employees experience a high amount of dosing errors in paediatric antibiotic prescriptions. Providing the indication for antibiotics in febrile children on prescriptions, especially when deviating from standard dosages, can potentially reduce dosage errors and miscommunication between doctors and pharmacy employees.
