Tips on Preventing Medical Errors in Children

Its important that you be a part of the healthcare delivery, making sure you are an informed consumer. Below are tips on how you can be involved in your child’s healthcare.

The most important way you can help prevent errors is to be active in your child’s
health and to be a part of the healthcare team.
Inform your child’s doctor of all medicines that your child is taking, including over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicine, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
Tell you child’s doctor about any allergies and if you child has had an unusual reaction to a medicine.
When your child’s doctor gives you a prescription, know what it is and what it is for.
Ask for information about your child’s medicine when it is prescribed and when you pick it up at the pharmacy, and make sure you read it.
If you have any questions about the directions, make sure you ask.
Ask your pharmacist or pharmacy staff member for the best device to measure your child’s liquid medicine and have them show you the exact measurement.
Ask for written information about the side effects of your child’s medicine and
what to watch for in terms of how the medicine may affect your child.
Ask your pharmacist if the medicine should be taken with or without food.
When choosing a hospital choose one that has performed the procedure your child is having done many times.
Make sure you receive and understand the treatment plan for home when your child is being discharged, and find out when your child can return to normal activities.
When your child is having surgery, make sure you know what procedure is being done and the risks that are involved.
If your child had several health problems, know who is ultimately in charge of his/her care.
Don’t assume all the healthcare professionals who are involved with your child have all the important information, you can make sure they know the important information.
Ask a friend or family member to be there with you when your child is having a test or procedure performed.
Ask why each test or procedure is being done, what they are looking for.
Keep track of your child’s condition and what treatments are being done.
The key is communication, never be afraid to ask any question you may have.
Avoid calling medicine candy.
Keep syrup of ipecac on hand to treat certain poisonings at home.
Children imitate adults, so avoid taking your medicines in their presence.
Avoid discarding medicines in trash cans