Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events in Pediatric Inpatients (2001)

Summary

Iatrogenic injuries, including medication errors, are an important problem in all hospitalized populations. However, few epidemiological data are available regarding medication errors in the paediatric inpatient setting.

The objectives of this paper, published in JAMA, were to assess the rates of medication errors, adverse drug events (ADEs), and potential ADEs; to compare paediatric rates with previously reported adult rates; to analyse the major types of errors; and to evaluate the potential impact of prevention strategies.