Medication errors in neonatal and paediatric intensive-care units.

This prospective study aimed at quality assurance identified medication errors among ICU admissions over a 4-year period. The overall error rate reported per admission approached 15% with several classification types described by the investigators. Detailed accounts of error types captured and the associated extent of patient injuries are also presented. The authors suggest that the first step in quality improvement is quality assurance and that appropriate documentation and measurement of current practices may lead to prevention efforts.