Abstract
Objectives To assess variation between prescription
intentions and what was actually administered to
paediatric patients and the problem of converting adult
dosages to paediatric doses in a ward setting.
Method A prospective descriptive study was carried out
at Ward 01, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo.
Administration of drugs to 170 patients was directly
observed and recorded during drug rounds. Converted
adult dosages for paediatric administration were
analyzed to determine the content of active ingredient
per unit dose prepared.
Results In 170 patients observed, correct drugs were
administered in every instance except one. At all times
drugs were administered via intended route and the
timing of drug rounds was capable of accommodating
the prescribed dosing frequencies. However in 17.64%
anomalies between prescribed dose and administered
dose were encountered for both orally and intravenously
administered drugs.
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2004; 33: 73-7
(Key words: Prescription compliance, medication accuracy, children)
doi: 10.4038/sljch.v33i3.641
Published on
09 Jul 2009.
Peer Reviewed
