Pediatric Patient Safety in Emergency Medical Services

Abstract

Since the publication of early studies highlighting the prevalence, impact, and costs of medical errors in the 1990s, patient safety has been the subject of considerable attention and study, primarily focused on adults and the inpatient setting. Less progress has been made with regard to pediatric patient safety and even less in the prehospital environment. This article reviews the issues and literature around pediatric patient safety within the emergency medical services system, including patient restraint and safe transport, the assessment and protection of the pediatric cervical spine, and prehospital medication errors.