Failure mode and effects analysis to reduce risk of heparin use.

Purpose: Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) was used to identify safety risks of unfractionated heparin (UFH) use and to develop and implement countermeasures to improve safety.

Methods: FMEA was used to analyze the transportation, preparation, dispensation, administration, therapeutic monitoring, and disposal of UFH in a tertiary care, freestanding pediatric hospital. The FMEA was conducted in a stepwise fashion.

Pediatric medication safety considerations for pharmacists in an adult hospital setting.

Purpose: Risks and vulnerabilities of the medication-use process in nonpediatric institutions that also serve pediatric patients are reviewed, and guidance on risk mitigation strategies is provided.

Summary: There are many risks and vulnerabilities in the medication-use process as it relates to pharmacotherapy for pediatric patients admitted to adult institutions. Mitigation of these risks is critical and should encompass various available resources and strategies.

A comparison of heart rate changes associated with levalbuterol and racemic albuterol in pediatric cardiology patients.

Background: To our knowledge, no data exist regarding the effect of levalbuterol and racemic albuterol on heart rate in pediatric cardiology patients.

Objective: To compare heart rate change in pediatric cardiology patients receiving levalbuterol and/or racemic albuterol. The secondary objective was to identify characteristics associated with heart rate changes observed with these drugs.