The Impact of Technology on Prescribing Errors in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Before and After Study.

BACKGROUND: Increased use of health information technology (HIT) has been advocated as a medication error reduction strategy. Evidence of its benefits in the pediatric setting remains limited. In 2012, electronic prescribing (ICCA, Philips, United Kingdom) and standard concentration infusions (SCIs)-facilitated by smart-pump technology-were introduced into the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of an Irish tertiary-care pediatric hospital. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the new technology on the rate and severity of PICU prescribing errors and identify technology-generated errors. METHODS: A retrospective, before and after study design, was employed. Medication orders were reviewed over 24 weeks distributed across four time periods: preimplementation (Epoch 1); postimplementation of SCIs (Epoch 2); immediate postimplementation of electronic prescribing (Epoch 3); and 1 year postimplementation (Epoch 4). Only orders reviewed by a clinical pharmacist were included. Prespecified definitions, multidisciplinary consensus and validated grading methods were utilized. RESULTS: A total of 3,356 medication orders for 288 patients were included. Overall error rates were similar in Epoch 1 and 4 (10.2 vs. 9.8%; p = 0.8), but error types differed (p < 0.001). Incomplete and wrong unit errors were eradicated; duplicate orders increased. Dosing errors remained most common. A total of 27% of postimplementation errors were technology-generated. Implementation of SCIs alone was associated with significant reductions in infusion-related prescribing errors (29.0% [Epoch 1] to 14.6% [Epoch 2]; p < 0.001). Further reductions (8.4% [Epoch 4]) were identified after implementation of electronically generated infusion orders. Non-infusion error severity was unchanged (p = 0.13); fewer infusion errors reached the patient (p < 0.01). No errors causing harm were identified. CONCLUSION: The limitations of electronic prescribing in reducing overall prescribing errors in PICU have been demonstrated. The replacement of weight-based infusions with SCIs was associated with significant reductions in infusion prescribing errors. Technology-generated errors were common, highlighting the need for on-going research on HIT implementation in pediatric settings.

Nurse Practitioner Fellowship: Developing a Program to Address Gaps in Practice

Formal training is an important mechanism to assist the new generation of nurse practitioners (NPs) entering the complex field of oncology. The growing number of patients with cancer and the expansion of treatment options demand structured oncology training to support the transition of novice advanced practice nurses to the field. Oncology NP fellowships are a potential solution for those seeking training centered on the management of patients with cancer. This article discusses the process of implementing an NP fellowship program at an academic cancer center, including benefits and barriers.

A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HYPOTONIC HYPER-HYDRATION FLUIDS ON SODIUM BALANCE IN PAEDIATRIC HAEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY.

AIMS: To determine the effect, if any, that hyper-hydration with hypotonic fluids has on sodium balance in paediatric haematology/oncology patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment for malignancies. METHODS: A literature review was carried out and a snapshot of current practice across paediatric haematology/oncology centres in the UK was obtained. A prospective study was carried out in a tertiary paediatric haematology/oncology centre. A total of 98 patient episodes involved hyper-hydration with isotonic 0.9% NaCl, almost isotonic 0.45% NaCl+2.5% glucose with added sodium bicarbonate or hypotonic 0.45% NaCl+2.5% glucose. Serum sodium was monitored before and during hyper-hydration. Results were analysed according to whether children experienced a drop in serum sodium. RESULTS: Patients who were hyper-hydrated with hypotonic 0.45% NaCl & 2.5% Glucose experienced the greatest mean drop in serum sodium. The mean drop in sodium was 2.11 mmol/L in the group receiving the hypotonic 0.45% NaCl & 2.5% Glucose compared to 0.47 mmol/L in the group who received isotonic 0.9% NaCl or 0.45% NaCl & 2.5% Glucose with added sodium bicarbonate. During the course of the study five patients who received 0.45% NaCl & 2.5% Glucose dropped their sodium to 130 mmol/L or less constituting hyponatraemia. No patient dropped their serum sodium to 130 mmol/L or less in the other two groups. During the course of the study no patient experienced clinical manifestations of hyponatraemia. No child became hypernatraemic. CONCLUSIONS: In paediatric haematology/oncology patients receiving hyper-hydration with concurrent chemotherapy isotonic fluids are preferable.