Audio PSA: Children are not Immune to Medical Errors

Narrator: Medical errors don’t just affect adults. Problems with medicines, for example, occur three times as often in children as in adults, and the rates are even higher for babies in the hospital. AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy has some advice for parents:

Dr. Clancy: Parents: whether you’re at the doctor’s office, pharmacy, or hospital, your role in preventing medication errors in your children is essential. Make sure you understand what the doctor is prescribing and why. Ask how much medicine your child should take, how often she should take it, and if there are any side effects to watch for. When you pick up the prescription at the pharmacy, double-check that you have the correct drug and the correct amount. These simple steps can prevent big problems.

Narrator: These tips and more are in a fact sheet from AHRQ called, "20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children." Find it at www.ahrq.gov/consumer.