Children in hospital face errors risk

A study found mistakes were made in one in eight medicines given to youngsters in hospital.

Researchers said most of the mistakes were unlikely to cause serious harm, but a small number of cases were potentially fatal.

The study looked at 3,000 prescriptions for 444 children at five hospitals over a two-week period in London.

Prescribing errors were found in 13 per cent of cases – ranging from five per cent to as many as 32 per cent on one ward. An incomplete prescription was the most common mistake.

Some 429 administration errors were picked up among 150 nurses who were observed preparing and administering 1,500 doses of medicine.

Mistakes in drug preparation were the most common, accounting for just under 21 per cent of the total.