Dedicated Fax Machine to Increase Scrutiny of Medication Orders for Pediatric Hospital Inpatients

Background: Some children are treated at hospitals that focus on adult care. When orders for children and adults are interspersed, it can be difficult to recognize the pediatric orders. As a result, pediatric patients are at greater risk of medication dosing errors. Pharmacists need to be able to immediately recognize pediatric orders and perform appropriate dose checks. Objective: To determine if a dedicated fax machine for pediatric orders would lead to increased scrutiny of such orders by pharmacists. Methods: Review and analysis of pediatric orders processed before and after installation of a dedicated fax machine for pediatric orders at a community hospital. Results: The proportion of pediatric orders with appropriate dose-checking increased from 47.9% (57/119) before to 64.1% (109/170) after installation of the dedicated fax machine. For patients up to 12 years of age, appropriate dose-checking increased from 49.6% (56/113) to 74.5% (105/141). Conclusions: Pharmacists' scrutiny of pediatric orders increased after installation of a dedicated fax machine for pediatric orders.