Epidemiology of Preventable Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) Among Hospitalized Children at KAMC-Jeddah: a

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Aeshah AlAzmi1,2, Omaima Ahmed2, Hani Alhamdan1

  • 1Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Pharmaceutical Care Services Department, Clinical Pharmacy Section, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety
|December 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Most drug-related problems (DRPs) in hospitalized children are preventable, especially those linked to incorrect medication dosing. Younger children in intensive care and those with scheduled admissions face higher risks, highlighting the need for targeted safety strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Patient Safety
  • Drug Utilization Research

Background:

  • Drug-related problems (DRPs) are adverse events from medication use that can harm patients.
  • Hospitalized children are a vulnerable group susceptible to DRPs.
  • Limited data exists on the epidemiology of preventable DRPs in Saudi Arabian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize preventable drug-related problems (DRPs) in hospitalized pediatric patients.
  • To identify factors associated with DRPs in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study conducted over 3 months in pediatric units (excluding oncology) at KAMC-Jeddah.
  • Inclusion criteria: children aged 15 years or younger.
  • Data collected on DRP incidence and associated factors: age, gender, admission type, and number of medications.

Main Results:

  • 319 DRPs identified in 235 patients; 87.8% were preventable.
  • Dose selection errors were the most common cause (78%).
  • Younger children (≤2 years) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and patients with scheduled admissions showed significantly higher DRP risks. DRP incidence increased with the number of medications prescribed.

Conclusions:

  • A high proportion of DRPs in hospitalized children are preventable.
  • Targeted prevention strategies are crucial for improving medication safety in pediatric patients.
  • Focusing on dose selection and high-risk patient groups (PICU admissions, scheduled admissions) is recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrendrug-related problemshospitalized pediatric patientsrisk factors

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