Children with chronic conditions are at higher risk of experiencing medical errors than children without chronic conditions, according to a study published in Pediatrics.
For the study, researchers analyzed the 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database to determine any association between the number of chronic conditions and medical errors.
They found 22.3 percent of pediatric inpatients in the database had one chronic condition, 9.8 percent had two chronic conditions and 12 percent had three or more chronic conditions. The medical error rate was more than four times higher for children with chronic conditions (5.3 medical errors per 100 discharges) compared to children without chronic conditions (1.3 medical errors per 100 discharges). This trend held true when researchers adjusted for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, disease severity and length of stay.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
For the study, researchers analyzed the 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database to determine any association between the number of chronic conditions and medical errors.
They found 22.3 percent of pediatric inpatients in the database had one chronic condition, 9.8 percent had two chronic conditions and 12 percent had three or more chronic conditions. The medical error rate was more than four times higher for children with chronic conditions (5.3 medical errors per 100 discharges) compared to children without chronic conditions (1.3 medical errors per 100 discharges). This trend held true when researchers adjusted for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, disease severity and length of stay.
More Articles on Medical Errors:
6 Risk Factors for Incorrect Surgical Counts
14 California Hospitals Fined for Patient Safety Errors
5 Tips on How to Improve Patient Safety With the Help of Technology
