Pediatric adverse drug event occurrence in a community hospital

Abstract

Hospitalized children are at greater risk for adverse drug events (ADEs) due to varying size, development and lack of pediatric specific dosing.The project determined ADE rate for40 randomly selected pediatric hospitalized inpatients utilizing the Pediatric-Focused Trigger Tool in a retrospective review. 171 triggers revealed 10 unique ADEs involving 8 patients, including ICU, general unit, and ER. Mean ADE rates were 25/100, 47.84/1000 days and 28.01/1000 medication doses, 50% preventable. Constipation and oversedation werecommon. Opiates and benzodiazepines/anti-epilepsy medications were associated with ADEs. Thirty percent required initial or prolonged hospitalization. ADE rates in a community hospital were higher than the rates reported for children’s hospitals. This rate will serve as a benchmark as new safety measures are implemented.