Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29023584›Full record

ArticlePloS one2017

Intravenous fluid prescribing errors in children: Mixed methods analysis of critical incidents.

Richard L Conn, Steven McVea, Angela Carrington, Tim Dornan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Richard L ConnCentre for Medical Education, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2564-254X
Steven McVeaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom.
Angela CarringtonMedicines Governance Team, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom.
Tim DornanCentre for Medical Education, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionRecent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines aim to improve intravenous (IV) fluid prescribing for children, but existing evidence about how and why fluid prescribing errors occur is limited. Studying this can lead to more effective implementation, through education and systems design.

aimsIdentify types of IV fluid prescribing errors reported in practiceAnalyse factors that contribute to errorsProvide guidance to educators and those responsible for designing systems.

methodsMixed methods observational study which analysed critical incident reports relating to IV fluid prescribing errors in children aged 0-16, occurring between 2011 and 2015 in UK secondary care. We quantified characteristics and types of errors, then qualitatively analysed narrative descriptions, identifying underlying contributing factors.

resultsIn the 40 incidents analysed, principal types of errors were incorrect rate of fluids, inappropriate choice of solution, and incorrect completion of prescription charts. Prescribers had to negotiate complex patients, interactions with other practitioners and teams, and challenging work environments; errors resulted from these inter-related contributing factors.

conclusionsThis study highlights the diverse range and complex nature of IV fluid prescribing errors reported in practice. While these findings have the inherent limitations of critical incident reports, they point to areas of potential improvement in education and systems design. Practising prescribing in context, inducting doctors within the many specialties who contribute to care of children, and educating them in joint working with nurses and pharmacists could help reduce errors.

Indexed as

AdolescentChildChild, PreschoolDrug PrescriptionsFluid TherapyHumansHyponatremiaInfantInfant, NewbornMedication ErrorsPediatrics

Identifiers

PMID29023584
PMCPMC5638410

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.