Children at Higher Risk For Drug Errors

Scott Kappes

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A new study published in this month’s Pediatrics magazine suggests that our children may be at much more of a risk of hospital errors than we ever could have imagined. The study claims that more than one out of every ten children admitted to the hospital will have an adverse reaction to a drug administered to them. More alarmingly the study claims that more than 20 percent of these reactions are preventable. These starling numbers paint a picture of a much more dangerous hospital stay for children than previously thought.

The Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals, issued an alert yesterday in response to the findings, noting that kids have a higher risk than adults of being harmed by medication errors.

The Commission recommended several efforts that can be made to reduce the number of drug errors in children. The Commission advised that children be weighed in kilograms, the most common unit used when determining dosage amounts. Writing down the method used to calculate the dosage should also reduce mistakes, by offering a written record that could be double-checked by others. 

Recent nationwide coverage of a nearly fatal medical error involving the children of actor Dennis Quaid has increased awareness of the issue, but still not enough is being done to ensure the safety of our children.