Parents can dose liquid medication accurately.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether parental errors in dosing liquid medication can be decreased through education.


METHODS
Randomized convenience sample stratified to three study groups.


METHODS
General pediatric clinic, largely indigent and Latino.


METHODS
A total of 45 English-speaking and 45 Spanish-speaking children diagnosed with otitis media and treated with an antibiotic suspension.


METHODS
Group 1 patients received the prescription and verbal instructions. Group 2 patients received the prescription and a syringe, then the correct dose was demonstrated. Group 3 patients received the prescription, a syringe with a line marked at the correct dose, and a demonstration. After returning from the pharmacy, parents administered the medication under observation. Parents in group 1 used a dispensing device similar to that planned for home use. The other groups used the syringe. After observation but before discharge, everyone received a syringe with a line marked at the correct dose. Patients were seen again at approximately 1 month, and parents demonstrated how much medication they had administered.


METHODS
Percent of parents who administered the correct dose.


RESULTS
Patients in group 1 received between 32% and 147% of the correct dose, with only 11 of 30 (37%) receiving the correct dose (+/-0.2 mL). In group 2, 25 of 30 (83%) parents administered the correct dose, and in group 3, 30 of 30 (100%) gave the correct dose. Simultaneous logistic regression indicated that accuracy of dosage differed across instructional groups and language. At follow-up, 23 of 26 parents demonstrated the correct dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Education can decrease medication dosing errors made by both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking parents. Effectiveness was also shown at follow-up.
McMahon
S R
SR
Department of Pediatrics, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, USA.
Rimsza
M E
ME
Bay
R C
RC
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D016015:Logistic Models; D008489:Medical Indigency; D008508:Medication Errors; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013535:Suspensions; D013594:Syringes
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013535:Suspensions