Piloting Medication Histories in a Pediatric Postanesthesia Care Unit

Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing : Official Journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
Nathan LakeDeborah Wagner

Abstract

Develop a medication history process for pediatric postanesthesia care unit (PACU) patients to identify discrepancies between home and inpatient medications and prevent medication errors. Pilot an evidence-based practice change to perform PACU medication histories. Inpatients or surgical admissions to general care units at a pediatric tertiary care 348-bed hospital ages 2-18 years were included. Parents/guardians were asked about their child's prescription and over-the-counter medications, allergies, and adherence. Data included patient age, surgery, medication categories, and error classifications. Information was compared to the patient's medical record. From June to July 2016, 75 medication histories were performed, covering 44.6% of eligible cases within the period. Seventy-four discrepancies were found, the most frequent being omission. The medication category with the most errors was vitamins/herbals/supplements. The workflow designed assessed discrepancy frequency and type in surgical patients' medication lists when transitioning from the PACU to general care units.

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