Ensuring Medication Safety for Pediatric Patients in Resource-Limited Settings ,study finds

The researchers highlight several important lessons and strategies to improve medication safety in this setting: 1. Implement standardized processes for medication preparation, labeling, and administration, including one-at-a-time preparation and clear syringe labeling. 2. Develop written medication plans for each pediatric patient to be available in the operating room. 3. Provide regular training and workshops on pediatric medication safety for all anesthesia providers. 4. Strengthen the critical incident reporting system to enable continuous quality improvement efforts. 5. Adopt low-cost solutions like "closed-loop communication" and standardization of oral instructions to address communication-related errors. While the overall rate of adverse drug events was relatively low in this study, the researchers emphasize that even a small number of serious or life-threatening events can have devastating consequences for pediatric patients. Implementing a multifaceted approach to enhance medication safety is crucial, especially in resource-limited LMIC settings where healthcare systems face unique challenges. Continuous quality improvement efforts and shared learnings can help drive progress in this critical area of patient safety.

Reference –

Shemila Abbasi et al. (2025). Medication Errors And Adverse Drug Events In Peri-Operative Pediatric Anesthetic Care Over Twenty Years: A Retrospective Observational Study. *BMC Anesthesiology*, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03109-8.