Preventing Home Medication Administration Errors

H. Shonna Yin

doi:10.1542/peds.2021-054666

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Preventing Home Medication Administration Errors

2021-12-01

H. Shonna Yin *

Daniel R. Neuspiel

Ian M. Paul

DOI：10.1542/peds.2021-054666

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Abstract

En 中文

Medication administration errors that take place in the home are common, especially when liquid preparations are used and complex medication schedules with multiple medications are involved; children with chronic conditions are disproportionately affected. Parents and other caregivers with low health literacy and/or limited English proficiency are at higher risk for making errors in administering medications to children in their care. Recommended strategies to reduce home medication errors relate to provider prescribing practices; health literacy-informed verbal counseling strategies (eg, teachback and showback) and written patient education materials (eg, pictographic information) for patients and/or caregivers across settings (inpatient, outpatient, emergency care, pharmacy); dosing-tool provision for liquid medication measurement; review of medication lists with patients and/or caregivers (medication reconciliation) that includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamins and supplements; leveraging the medical home; engaging adolescents and their adult caregivers; training of providers; safe disposal of medications; regulations related to medication dosing tools, labeling, packaging, and informational materials; use of electronic health records and other technologies; and research to identify novel ways to support safe home medication administration.

Keywords:

OVER-THE-COUNTER

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

EMERGENCY-DEPARTMENT VISITS

ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS

LOW-HEALTH LITERACY

DOSING ERRORS

MEASURING DEVICES

COLD MEDICATIONS

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

DIETARY-SUPPLEMENT