Abstract
Aims
We performed a systematic analysis of which drugs, prescribed, over the counter (OTC), and/or natural remedies, children had used prior to visiting a pediatric emergency room (ER), and to compare this information with the documentation of drug use in the medical records.
Methods
A questionnaire study was performed at a pediatric ER in a Swedish university hospital during 3 weeks in April 2008. The questionnaire was validated through an interview with a subgroup of participants. Only drug use associated with the time of that hospital visit was requested. Information was compared with information in medical records related to the same visit.
Results
Two hundred and seventy-four children aged 0–18 (median 2) years were enrolled, representing 28% of the total number of patients visiting the ER within the time frame. Forty% (n = 109) of participants reported use of prescribed drugs, 65% (n = 172) OTC drugs, and 8% (n = 17) natural remedies prior to the ER visit. The most common drugs in the three groups were salbutamol, paracetamol, and omega fatty acids, respectively. In the medical records, no more than 50% of the reported drug intake could be found, representing 74% of prescribed drugs but only 34% of OTC drugs and 27% of natural remedies.
Conclusions
The majority of children had used drugs, both prescribed and OTC, before coming to the ER , but this drug intake, and especially that of nonprescribed drugs, was often not documented in the medical records.
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Abbreviations
- OTC:
-
over the counter
- ER:
-
emergency room
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Acknowledgement
The contribution of all attending pediatric health-care professionals at the ER, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge, is gratefully acknowledged. This project was supported through the regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF) between Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet, by the Karolinska University Hospital, and Stiftelsen Samariten. No conflict of interest and funding to report.
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Kimland, E., Böttiger, Y. & Lindemalm, S. Recent drug history in children visiting a pediatric emergency room and documentation in medical records. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 67, 1085–1089 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1057-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1057-9