Use of milrinone in critically ill children.

Background: Optimal dose adjustment of milrinone in critically ill children is challenging because of conflicting information about the association between dose and outcomes in this age group.

Objectives: To describe the use of milrinone in critically ill children and to explore associations between milrinone dosing and clinical outcomes, specifically effectiveness and adverse events.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed in a consecutive sample of children admitted to a university-affiliated critical care unit (January to June 2004).

Prevalence and clinical significance of medication discrepancies at pediatric hospital admission.

Objective: To quantify admission medication discrepancies in a tertiary-care, general pediatric population, to describe their clinical importance and associated factors, and to assess a screening approach to pharmacist involvement.

Methods: A total of 272 patients were studied prospectively at hospital admission. The study pharmacist performed a medication history and compared it to physicians' admission medication orders.