JOINT COMMISSION RESOURCES CONSULTING
Pediatric Patient Safety
Francine Westergaard
Joint Commission Consultant
Pediatric patients present with unique health care needs. Not feeling well and presenting in the emergency department can be overwhelming to a child. Children rely on family members to assist them and care for them during these situations. But, can a family member clearly communicate the problems the child is experiencing? Or are they expressing what they think is wrong with the child. These may be two different factors. Entering the health care system can be intimidating to a knowledgeable adult but consider the circumstances for a child. Two of the areas in which children are most at risk are the medication administration process and the health care environment.
In July 2008, The Joint Commission released
Sentinel Event Alert 39, Preventing Pediatric Medication Errors. This alert outlines strategies that organizations can apply to reduce the potential for pediatric medication errors. For example, standardization of the medication delivery system will assist in preventing adverse events from occurring. Pharmacists, medicine, and nursing can work closely to develop multidisciplinary approaches which will review the use of current technology and application of safe practices.
As health care providers, it becomes our responsibility to provide safe, competent care. We rely on our organizations and leaders to provide us with the resources necessary to care for a sick child and their family. Joint Commission standards require that organizations manage safety risk for the patients.
Surveys have determined that only 6% of hospitals surveyed have all the necessary equipment recommended for caring for children (
Nadzam & Westergaard, 2008;
Gausche-Hill et al, 2007). An emergency department patient care room should contain life saving supplies, but when left in reach of a child, these supplies can prove dangerous. It is vital that each patient care area be thoroughly inspected from the eye of a child to determine if the room is safe for the child and their family (
Environment of Care News, 2008).
References:
Nadzam, D. & Westergaard, F. (2008). Pediatric patient safety in the emergency department: Identifying risks and preparing to care for child and family. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 23(3), 198-194.
Gausche-Hill, M., Schmitz, C., & Lewis, R. (2007). Pediatric preparedness of US Emergency departments: a 2003 survey.
Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 120, 1229-1237.
Pediatric safety in emergencies: What health care organizations can do to keep children safe. (2008). Environment of Care News, 11(2), 1-3.