Evaluating the Potential Severity of Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drug Substitution Errors in Children.

Objective: Look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) drug name substitution errors in children may pose potentially severe consequences. Our objective was to determine the degree of potential harm pediatricians ascribe to specific ambulatory LASA drug substitution errors.

Methods: We developed a unified list of LASA pairs from published sources, removing selected drugs on the basis of preparation type (eg, injectable drugs).

Improving pediatrician knowledge about environmental triggers of asthma.

Background: Control of environmental triggers (ETs) greatly improves asthma outcomes in children. Disseminating these findings to general pediatricians has not been well established.

Methods: After delivering a structured and standardized presentation on ET identification and control to pediatricians, we surveyed them about knowledge and practices of ET assessment and management.

Variation in fruit juice consumption among infants and toddlers: associations with WIC participation.

Objectives: Juice is a common component of a child's diet. Excessive juice consumption may lead to adverse nutritional and dental outcomes. The objective of the study was to evaluate consumption patterns and parental perception regarding juice in a sample of children from families participating or not participating in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services.

Peripheral intravenous access in pediatric inpatients.

Background: Peripheral intravenous (PIV) line placement is a time-consuming procedure performed on the majority of general pediatric inpatients, with significant discomfort to patients.

Objective: To determine parameters of pediatric PIV placement, including success rates, time to success, and factors associated with success.

Design: Prospective study involving direct observation of PIV placement by trained research staff.

Improving immunization rates at 18 months of age: implications for individual practices.

Objective: We sought to model the effect that a targeted immunization visit at 18 months of age could have on immunization rates of preschool-aged children in a sample of pediatric practices.

Methods: We conducted retrospective chart reviews in six practices of all active patients aged 18-30 months. Up-to-date (UTD) status was defined as receipt of four diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, three polio, one measles-mumps-rubella, three hepatitis B, and one varicella vaccines.

Do immunisation procedures match provider perception? A study from the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN).

Objective: Immunisation coverage of children by 19 months of age in US primary care practices is below the desired goal of 80%. In order to improve this rate, primary care providers must first understand the specific processes of immunisation delivery within their office settings. This paper aims to identify key components in identifying strategies for quality improvement (QI) of immunisation delivery.