Medication errors in the practice of paediatric anaesthesia - a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Medication errors are a growing concern in healthcare, particularly within pediatric anesthesia.
• Children are uniquely vulnerable to medication errors due to complex age/weight-based dosing, drug formulations, and dilutions.
• Limited staff experience with pediatric patients further elevates the risk of adverse events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing literature on medication errors in pediatric anesthesia.
• To identify key risk factors contributing to medication errors in this population.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of preventive strategies for improving perioperative safety in children.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.
• Studies focusing on medication errors in pediatric anesthesia (children < 18 years) were included.
• Two independent reviewers screened articles, with a third resolving discrepancies.

Main Results:

• The initial search yielded 2979 articles, with 21 relevant studies ultimately selected for analysis.
• Key findings highlight the prevalence and types of medication errors in pediatric anesthesia.
• Identified risk factors include complex calculations, drug preparation, and human factors.

Conclusions:

• Implementing preventive strategies is crucial for mitigating medication errors in pediatric anesthesia.
• Recommended strategies include color-coding, accurate dose verification, and encouraging self-reporting.
• These interventions can significantly improve perioperative safety for pediatric patients.