Drug Errors Hurt 1 in 15 Hospitalized Kids

The headline on cnn.com/health begins this way, "Medicine mix-ups, accidental overdoses and bad drug reactions harm roughly one out of 15 hospitalized children, according to the first scientific test of a new detection method."
The story goes on to say, "Patient safety experts said the problem is most likely even bigger than the study suggests because it involved only a review of selected charts. Also, the study didn't include general community hospitals, where most U.S. children requiring hospitalization are treated."

You can read the whole story here.

I know sharing these news stories doesn't make me popular amongst most of the world, namely those who depend heavily upon medication. However, we all need to be aware of what is going on around us so that we can prevent these errors in our own families. The more you know, the more you can make educated decisions about the health and well-being of your family.

If your child is hospitalized, ask questions. Watch what they're administering to him/her. Get second opinions. Ask, ask, and re-ask. It won't make you popular with the staff, but who cares. You are responsible for your child. Go above and beyond. I don't know about you, but I would rather be uncomfortable and unpopular for a few minutes, hours, or days than to live without my child for a single second.