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Medication Errors in Overweight and Obese Pediatric Patients: A Narrative Review.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf ; 48(3): 154-164, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1636652
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The childhood obesity epidemic in the United States has increased utilization of health care and prescribing of medications in overweight and obese children, yet it is unclear whether this has led to more medication errors. The objective of this study was to review all available literature on incidence and types of medication errors in overweight and obese children.

METHODS:

A search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases was conducted for all studies and oral abstracts through December 2020 reporting medication errors in overweight or obese children aged ≤ 18 years. All studies were identified and extracted via a Covidence database. Two reviewers independently reviewed studies and rated the methodologic quality of those included per GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) criteria.

RESULTS:

The search identified 1,016 abstracts from databases. Following review, full text was obtained for 146 articles, of which 141 were excluded. A total of 5 studies met criteria for inclusion and described dosing errors of antimicrobials, anesthetics, and paracetamol in overweight and obese pediatric patients. Two of the 5 studies compared medication errors in obese to nonobese children, and both found that medication errors (both over- and underdosing) were generally more common among obese children. The identified reasons for medication errors included incorrect dosing weight, incorrect dosing strategy, over- and underdosing with weight-based and flat-fixed dosing, and inapposite use of age-based dosing schemas.

CONCLUSION:

There is a paucity of patient safety evidence available evaluating medication use in overweight and obese children and associated medication errors. Overweight and obese children may be at increased risk of medication errors, although the clinical significance of this is unknown.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pediatric Obesity / Anti-Infective Agents Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews Limits: Adolescent / Child / Humans Language: English Journal: Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf Journal subject: Health Services Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pediatric Obesity / Anti-Infective Agents Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews Limits: Adolescent / Child / Humans Language: English Journal: Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf Journal subject: Health Services Year: 2022 Document Type: Article