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The Effect of Standard Concentration Infusions on Medication Errors in Neonatal and Pediatric Healthcare Settings: A

Lisa Wende1, Mark Schoberer2, Almuth Kaune3

  • 1Hospital Pharmacy, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|November 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Standard concentrations (SCs) for intravenous (IV) infusions may reduce medication errors in neonates and children. While SCs showed significant risk reduction for many errors, further research is needed to confirm their long-term impact.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Patient Safety
  • Health Informatics

Background:

  • Neonates and children face high risks of medication errors (ME) with intravenous (IV) therapies.
  • Individualized, weight-based concentrations increase variability and potential for errors.
  • Standard concentrations (SCs) are proposed to enhance safety and streamline medication processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate the impact of SCs for continuous IV infusions on ME rates in neonatal and pediatric populations.
  • To assess the effectiveness of SCs in reducing medication variability and improving safety.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
  • Searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases (inception–August 2025).
  • Included studies implementing SCs for pediatric IV infusions and measuring ME rates.

Main Results:

  • Five uncontrolled before-after studies (2005–2020) were analyzed.
  • Relative risk reductions for overall ME ranged from 41.2% to 95.1%.
  • Some error types saw increased risk, but benefits included fewer calculation/preparation errors and improved workflow.

Conclusions:

  • SCs show potential for safer IV infusion practices in pediatric settings, especially with technology and training.
  • Current evidence is limited and heterogeneous.
  • Larger, prospective studies are necessary to validate the long-term effects of SCs on pediatric ME rates.

Keywords:
drug preparationerror ratemedication errormedication safetyneonatal intensive careparenteral medicationpediatric intensive carestandard concentration

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