Pediatric Medication Safety

• Pediatric medication safety is crucial because children process medications differently than adults, are more susceptible to side effects, and medication errors are a leading cause of preventable harm.
• The most common type of pediatric medication error is a dosing error.
• When calculating a pediatric dose based on weight, always use the child's most recent weight in kilograms.
• "Independent Double Check (IDC)" means having two nurses independently verify medication calculations and preparation.
• Right documentation is not one of the "5 Rights" of medication administration.
• The purpose of closed-loop communication is to minimize the risk of medication errors by repeating back verbal orders to ensure accuracy.
• If there is a question about a medication order, clarify doubts with the prescriber.
• A key element of a culture of safety is encouraging reporting of errors without fear of reprisal.
• Reporting medication errors or near misses is important to identify system vulnerabilities and prevent future errors.
• "Sound-alike, look-alike" drug names contribute to the incorrect drug type of medication error.
• Lexicomp or UpToDate are reliable resources for pediatric drug information.
• When administering medication to a child, the most important factor to consider regarding the route of administration is the child's age and developmental stage.
• Accurate documentation of medication administration is crucial to ensure continuity of care, prevent medication errors, and track medication usage.
• Relying solely on memory is NOT a strategy to minimize medication errors
• "Off-label" use of a medication means using it for a purpose not approved by the FDA.
• Polypharmacy, limited availability of pediatric formulations, and communication barriers can increase the risk of medication errors in pediatric patients.
• The primary responsibility of a pharmacist in pediatric medication safety includes dispensing medications accurately, reviewing medication orders for appropriateness, and providing drug information to healthcare providers.
• The role of the parent/guardian in pediatric medication safety involves providing accurate information about the child's medical history, asking questions about medications, and following medication instructions carefully.
• Education of families about their child's medications is important to improve medication adherence, reduce the risk of medication errors at home, and empower families to participate in their child's care.
• A "near miss" in medication safety is a medication error that is caught before it reaches the patient.

Medication safety is crucial in pediatrics due to children's unique physiology and susceptibility to side effects. Dosing errors are the most common medication error. Closed-loop communication and double-checking are strategies to minimize medication errors.