Evaluation of prescription compliance and medication accuracy in a paediatric unit at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo.

ABSTRACT

Objectives To assess variation between prescription intentions and what was actually administered to paediatric patients and the problem of converting adult dosages to paediatric doses in a ward setting. Method A prospective descriptive study was carried out at Ward 01, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo. Administration of drugs to 170 patients was directly observed and recorded during drug rounds. Converted adult dosages for paediatric administration were analyzed to determine the content of active ingredient per unit dose prepared. Results In 170 patients observed, correct drugs were administered in every instance except one. At all times drugs were administered via intended route and the timing of drug rounds was capable of accommodating the prescribed dosing frequencies. However in 17.64% anomalies between prescribed dose and administered dose were encountered for both orally and intravenously administered drugs.