Pediatric critical patient safety regarding medication errors
Section: Healthcare Management
How to quote
Dolz Alabau C, Martínez Dolz J, Soriano Prats MA. La seguridad del paciente crítico pediátrico relacionada con errores de medicación. Metas Enferm 2013; 16(4):12-17.
Authors
1Carmen Dolz Alabau, 2Jesús Martínez Dolz, 3Mª Ángeles Soriano Prats
Position
1Enfermera de la Unidad de Reanimación y Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos del Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia. Especialista en Cuidados Médico-Quirúrgicos y Psiquiatría.2Estudiante de Grado en Enfermería de la Universidad Europea Madrid.3Enfermera de la Unidad de Reanimación y Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos del Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia.
Contact address
Carmen Dolz Alabau. Avda. General Avilés, 32, 4ª. 46015 Valencia.
Contact email: mensindolzalabau@hotmail.com
Abstract
Medication errors are a complication that we nursing professionals face in our daily practice, because of our involvement in the entire process of medication use.
With the aim to improve healthcare for pediatric and neonatal patients during the whole drug therapy process, and to offer a responsible and safe healthcare practice in our work setting, a bibliographic review was conducted in order to establish the current knowledge about pediatric and neonatal patient safety regarding medication errors and nursing staff action.
Information about what a medication error is and why it happens is presented in this paper, as well as the characteristics of pediatric critical patients with multiple pathology and multiple therapies, the difference between an infant and an adult in terms of drug administration, causes which place pediatric and neonatal critical patients in a risk situation in terms of errors in medication use, incidence of medication errors in Pediatrics, as well as the relevance of the nursing professional’s role in the entire drug therapy process, recommendations for correct medication administration, and strategies for preventing medication errors.
Keywords:
medication administration; medication errors; neonatology; nursing staff action; patient safetyPediatric Intensive Care
Versión en Español
Título:
La seguridad del paciente crítico pediátrico relacionada con errores de medicación
