Medical errors are preventable events that can occur at any stage of the medication-use process including ordering, dispensing, administering, and monitoring and have the potential to harm patients. These errors vary in severity, from incidents with serious consequences to those with minimal or no clinical impact. In neonates, medication errors are a significant safety concern, and understanding how to prevent them is essential for improving newborn health outcomes.
Medication errors are a well-recognized cause of iatrogenic injury in pediatric patients, with the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) considered one of the highest-risk settings. Human error theories highlight key contributing factors such as excessive workload, insufficient knowledge, inadequate training, and poor awareness of potential mistakes. Types and Causes of Medication Errors The most frequent medication errors…
