Abstract

IntroductionMedication reconciliation (MR) is one of the main strategies used to reduce medication errors in care transitions. In Spain, several guidelines have been published with recommendations for the implementation and development of MR processes aimed at the adult population, and not applicable to paediatric patients. In 2018, a study was carried out that allowed the subsequent publication of a document establishing criteria for the selection of paediatric patients in whom CM should be prioritised. ObjectivesTo describe the characteristics of the paediatric patients most likely to be subject to reconciliation errors (REs) to confirm whether the results of a previous study could be extrapolated. MethodologyProspective, multicentre study in paediatric inpatients. We analysed the REs detected in the MR at the time of admission. We obtained the best possible medication history of the patient using different sources of information, subsequently confirmed through an interview with the patient/caregiver. Results1043 discrepancies were detected, of which 544 were categorised as REs, affecting 317 patients (43%). Omission of a drug was the most common error (51%). Most REs involved drugs in groups A (31%), N (23%) and R (11%) of the ATC classification. Polypharmacy and oncological/haematological disease were the risk factors that exhibited a statistically significant association with the occurrence of REs. ConclusionsThe findings of this study allow the prioritisation of MR in a specific group of paediatric patients, contributing to improve the efficiency of the process. Oncological/haematological disease and polypharmacy were confirmed as the main risk factors for the occurrence of REs in the paediatric population.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.