Assessing the Influence of a Statewide Dosing Reference Aid on Prehospital Pediatric Medication Dosing Errors: A...

Errors occur in 31% of prehospital pediatric medication administrations (PMA) in Michigan despite the implementation of the MI-MEDIC pediatric dosing reference aid. Reference aids may not effectively target the causes of dosing errors and could introduce new types of error. Our study examines the frequency, magnitude, and immediate causes of PMA dosing errors in emergency medical services (EMS) after implementation of the MI-MEDIC dosing reference aid.

We used a mixed method, mobile simulation-based approach to examine PMA dosing errors. Emergency medical services crews were recruited from a private EMS service and a fire-based EMS service in Michigan. Each crew completed three high-fidelity simulations (infant seizure, infant cardiac arrest and child burn) requiring two doses of midazolam, epinephrine, or fentanyl. Post-simulation interviews were conducted. Error rates and magnitudes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A multidisciplinary team used a modified Delphi method, incorporating simulation observations, interview recordings, pictures of equipment that were used during the simulations, and protocols to categorize observed errors and reach consensus on their immediate causes.

Eleven crews were recruited between both agencies, completing 33 simulations and 66 medication administrations, using the MI-MEDIC dosing reference aid. Dosing errors occurred in 19 of the 66 doses (28.8%), with 13 underdoses (68.4%) and six overdoses (31.6%). The median underdose was 0.50 (95% IQR: 0.20-0.56). The median overdose was 2.00 (95% IQR: 1.40-12.50). After two rounds, Delphi consensus categorized 13 slips (68.4%), six mistakes (31.6%), and no lapses. Immediate causes included crews obtaining the wrong weight (4/19, 21.0%), a large volume of air present in the syringe (6/19, 31.6%) and improper dilution of medications when following instructions on the MI-MEDIC reference aid (6/19, 31.6%). The remaining three involved epinephrine administration directly from the prefilled syringe system (2/19, 10.5%) and an intentional underdose (1/19, 5.3%).

PMA dosing errors persist at a high rate with the use of the MI-MEDIC dosing reference aid. Immediate causes of error involve incorrect weight, administering air, and improper dilution, which tools like the MI-MEDIC dosing reference aid do not address. Further research is needed to develop comprehensive strategies addressing the active errors identified in our study.