Studies show that prescribing errors are the most frequent type of medication error in children’s inpatient settings.
This investigation looks at the risks involved when prescribing, dispensing and administering medicine to children.
Prescribing for children is usually personalised: individual calculations are needed for each child, taking weight, age, gestation and body surface area into account.
Electronic prescribing and medicines administration (ePMA) systems are now frequently used in children’s services. They are considered a more effective way to reduce medication errors however, they may cause new technology-related errors.
Errors in prescribing for children can lead to unsafe doses of medicines, causing significant harm or death if administered.
