Introduction:
Medication safety is very crucial part of patient safety as emergency department of any hospital is the busiest place of hospital where the possibility and likelihood of errors are much higher than any other part of the hospital. Human factor inherently limits the safety of health care process and contribute to medication errors. Recently, medication error has justly received significant attention, as it causes mortality, morbidity and additional healthcare costs, for example wrong dose prescribed and wrong dose administered for a prescribed medication.so despite the improved technology in the health care setting errors related to medication use continue to occur. The pharmacist plays a crucial role to oversee the quality of the entire drug distribution chain, from prescribing, drug choice, dispensing and preparation to the administration of drugs, and can fulfil a vital role in improving medication safety.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to find out frequency of different types of prescription error in pediatric emergency to improve mediation as well as patient safety.
Method:
We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 6 months (from January 2023 to June 2023). The data were taken from electronic medical record (EMR) of all patients visiting in one of the pediatric emergency departments supported by child life foundation, who were prescribed intravenous medication were enrolled in the study. These prescriptions were checked by qualified pharmacist for correct dose, route, and timing of the drug.
Results:
Total of 30,954 patient visited during the study period. 25,931 patients were prescribed intravenous medication. total of 784(3%) prescription errors were picked up. out of which 568 (68%) were due to wrong dose calculation and 76 (10%) patients were prescribed wrong medicine. 63(8%) patient were prescribed wrong units and 46(6%) each for wrong frequency and incomplete prescription.
Conclusion:
Unsafe medication practices leading to medication errors are the main causes of mortality and morbidity that can be prevented by a well trained and a qualified pharmacy department in ED of any hospital. The quality and safety of patient can be improved by preventing common medication error due to heavy flow of patient throughout the day.
Key words: Prescription Error, Medication Safety, Pediatric Emergency Department.
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