Antimicrobial prescribing errors in children.
During a 120 day period, the charts of patients who had received antimicrobial agents were examined. This group numbered 255 and comprised 52% of children admitted with infections. Patients treated by family doctors and/or hospital staff predominantly had respiratory infections and the ampicillin/amoxycillin group of drugs was most commonly prescribed. Of the 203 antimicrobial agents prescribed by hospital staff, 64% were considered to be prescribed appropriately. The major errors related to dosage, the most potentially serious relating to the prescribing of aminoglycosides and chloramphenicol. Of the 203 antimicrobial agents prescribed for 171 children in the community, 11% were considered to be appropriately prescribed or without error. The major error was the prescribing of these drugs for syndromes of known viral aetiology. Errors were also frequent in relation to dosage, duration and choice of antimicrobial agents.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents