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A systematic review on pediatric medication errors by parents or caregivers at home

Adriana Lopez-Pineda1,2, Javier Gonzalez de Dios3,4,5, Mercedes Guilabert Mora6

  • 1Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.

Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
|July 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric medication errors (MEs) at home occur frequently, ranging from 30% to 80%. Caregiver factors and polypharmacy increase risks, but improved dosing tools and education can reduce these errors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Patient Safety
  • Medication Error Research
  • Home Healthcare

Background:

  • Medication errors (MEs) are a significant concern, potentially leading to severe outcomes like hospitalization or death.
  • Most pediatric medications are administered by parents or caregivers in a home setting.
  • Understanding home-based pediatric MEs is crucial for enhancing patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on the frequency of pediatric MEs by caregivers at home.
  • To identify factors associated with pediatric MEs in the home environment.
  • To examine pediatric ME reporting systems in outpatient settings.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Medline, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases.
  • Original articles and reviews published between 2013 and 2021 were included.
  • The search focused on the frequency, associated factors, and reporting systems of pediatric MEs.

Main Results:

  • The reported frequency of pediatric MEs at home varied widely, from 30% to 80%.
  • Caregiver characteristics and prescriptions involving three or more drugs were identified as risk factors.
  • No information was found regarding pediatric ME reporting systems in the outpatient setting.

Conclusions:

  • Providing accurate dosing tools and recommending syringes can help reduce pediatric MEs.
  • Educational interventions for caregivers are essential for improving medication safety at home.
  • Further research is needed to establish effective reporting systems for outpatient pediatric MEs.
Abstract

Keywords:
Medication errorscaregiverschildparentspediatricssafety management

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