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Medication organizers (pill minders) increase the risk for unintentional pediatric ingestions

George Sam Wang1, Jason A Hoppe2, Lina Brou1

  • 1a Department of Pediatrics , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.

Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|May 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Medication organizers may increase the risk of unintentional pediatric pharmaceutical ingestions. This study found a significant association between organizer use and emergency department visits for ingestion, even after accounting for other factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Medication organizers aim to improve adherence but may pose risks.
  • Unintentional pediatric pharmaceutical ingestions are a significant concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between medication organizer use and pediatric emergency department visits for unintentional pharmaceutical ingestions.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional case-control study at a children's hospital emergency department.
  • Cases: children <6 years with unintentional pharmaceutical ingestion.
  • Controls: children <6 years with non-injury complaints, matched by age and sex.

Main Results:

  • Medication organizer use was associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of unintentional pediatric pharmaceutical ingestion.
  • In 63% of cases with organizers, children accessed the exposure medication from the organizer.
  • Caregiver knowledge of poison control centers (PCC) was low (36% unaware).

Conclusions:

  • Medication organizers may be a risk factor for pediatric pharmaceutical ingestions.
  • Further research is needed to refine prevention strategies for medication safety.
Abstract

Keywords:
Pediatricingestionsmedication storage and organizerspill minders

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