Risk Factors Associated with Medication Administration Errors in Children: A Prospective Direct Observational Study...

Area of Science:

• Paediatric Nursing
• Medication Safety
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Limited data exists on medication administration errors (MAEs) and their risk factors in general paediatric settings.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for improving patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify nurse, medication, and work-environment factors associated with MAEs in paediatric inpatients.
• To assess the impact of electronic medication management systems on MAEs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, direct observational study of 298 nurses and 5137 medication administrations in a paediatric hospital.
• Data collected on nurse characteristics, medication details, and work variables.
• Multivariable models used to analyze risk factors for MAEs.

Main Results:

• MAEs occurred in 37.0% of administrations, with 25.8% rated as potentially serious.
• High error rates observed for intravenous routes (64.7%) and injections (77.4%).
• Risk factors included intravenous route, early morning/weekend administration, older children, and oral medications needing solvents; electronic medication management systems reduced harm by 45%.

Conclusions:

• Medication error prevention should focus on intravenous administrations and older paediatric patients.
• Improving nurses' work environments and integrating medication technologies, like electronic medication management systems, is essential.