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Manipulation of oral medication for children by parents and nurses occurs frequently and is often not supported by instructions
Author(s) -
Vossen Anna C.,
AlHassany Linda,
Buljac Sandra,
Brugma JanDietert,
Vulto Arnold G.,
Hanff Lidwien M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14718
Subject(s) - medicine , observational study , outpatient clinic , cross sectional study , drug , family medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , pathology
Aim Due to a lack of age‐appropriate formulations, administration of drugs to children remains a challenge. This study aimed to identify the problems experienced in both the outpatient setting and the clinical setting. Methods Between June 2017 and January 2018, we performed a cross‐sectional, prospective study at the Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands. The study comprised of a structured interview on drug manipulations with parents visiting the outpatient clinic, and an observational study of drug manipulations by nurses at the wards. Results A total of 201 questionnaires were collected, accounting for 571 drugs and 169 manipulations (30%). Drug substances that were most often mentioned as manipulated were macrogol (n = 23), esomeprazole (n = 15), paracetamol (n = 8), methylphenidate (n = 7) and melatonin (n = 7). Of all manipulated medicines, 93/169 (55%) were manipulated according to the instructions or recommendations of the Summary of Product Characteristics (Sm PC ) or patient information leaflet. During the observational study, manipulation was performed by 21/35 of observed nurses (60%), of whom 11 deviated from the hospital protocol for manipulation or Sm PC (52%). Conclusion Manipulation was a widely used method to administer drugs to children. Validated information regarding manipulation of drugs for both parents and nursing staff is needed.