Related Experiment Videos
Pediatric drug therapy in the emergency department: does it meet FDA-approved prescribing guidelines?
J P McKinzie1, S W Wright, K D Wrenn
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-4700, USA.
Insights
Pediatric emergency departments frequently deviate from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved age-specific prescribing guidelines. A study found 34% of pediatric patients received medications outside these crucial pediatric drug safety guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Drug Safety
Background:
- Adherence to age-specific prescribing guidelines is crucial for pediatric patient safety.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides age-based guidelines for medication use in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency of adherence to FDA-approved age-specific prescribing guidelines in a pediatric emergency department (ED).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted for all pediatric patients in a university hospital ED over a 30-day period.
- Data collected included drug therapies administered in the ED and prescriptions issued upon discharge.
- Analysis focused on comparing prescribed medications against FDA-approved age criteria.
Main Results:
- Out of 359 children receiving drug therapy, 43% were given at least one medication not approved for their age.
- Among 296 children discharged with prescriptions, 16% received medications outside FDA age guidelines.
- Overall, 34% of pediatric ED patients received drug therapy not aligned with age-specific FDA guidelines.
Conclusions:
- Drug prescribing in pediatric EDs frequently deviates from FDA-approved age-specific guidelines.
- Bronchodilators, benzodiazepines, and narcotic analgesics were commonly prescribed outside these guidelines.
- Improved adherence to pediatric prescribing guidelines is necessary to enhance patient safety.
Abstract:
To determine how often Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved age-specific prescribing guidelines were followed in pediatric emergency department (ED) patients, the charts for all children presenting to a university hospital pediatric ED during a 30-day period were reviewed. Of the 359 children who received drug therapy in the ED, 43% received one or more drugs not approved for use at the patients' respective ages. Of 296 children discharged with one or more prescriptions, 16% received a drug prescribed outside of FDA-approved guidelines based on age criteria. Overall, 34% of children who received drug therapy in the ED or by prescription did not meet age-specific FDA-approved prescribing guidelines. The medications most commonly given outside FDA-approved guidelines were bronchodilators, benzodiazepines, and narcotic analgesics. Drug therapy in pediatric ED patients often falls outside FDA-approved prescribing guidelines.