Child Medication Measurements Confuse Parents (cnn)

Written Project

11 November 2014

Media Article:

Child medication measurements confuse parents (CNN)

Original Study:

Unit of Measurement Used and Parent Medication Dosing Errors (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Abstract

Purpose: Our study looks at doses of medications given to children and just how important it is for parents to distinguish between tablespoons (tbsp.) and teaspoons (tsp.). While the frequency of children overdosing on medications is high, this can be reduced if it is easier for parents to be aware of the correct dosage to give to their children.  

Data: We chose a research study that focused on possible medical errors caused by the unit of measure used for the correct dosage of children’s medication. This study was compared to an article from CNN that cited our study.
Methods: We compared the article and the study for differences in accuracy and presentation of statistics, research limitations, and variations of uncertainty. We looked at each part of the original study and looked to see what from each part was included in the article.

Results: The media article was very accurate and presented the important statistical conclusions from the study in a simple manner. The media article included some background, shared all key results from the study, and even included implications of the study; however, it did not include methods or limitations of the study.

Implications: Media articles do share important information and takeaway points from epidemiological studies. However, they never give detail about the study’s methods or the limitations of the study, which can be very useful for the public to know to put the study in context. Citizens should be aware of how to look up the original study to be better informed.

Introducing the Epidemiological Study:

This study, written by H. Shonna Yin and others, was published in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It investigates the association between units of measurement in liquid medication and medical errors such as pediatric overdoses. Its research and data explains statistical differences between those who use the milliliter-only unit and those who use the tablespoon and teaspoon units.

Introducing the Media Article:
An article summarizing this study was published on CNN’s website. The article, titled “Child Medication Measurements Confuse Parents”, is posted under the Health Blogs section of CNN. It begins by highlighting the confusion between teaspoons and tablespoons when reading an instruction label, and then addresses the fact that different medications across the spectrum use different measuring units, which adds confusion. The article stated that 40% of the parents in the study incorrectly measured their child’s dose. The article concluded by saying that multiple institutions recommend using milliliters as the only unit of measure for medications to reduce consumer confusion.

Describing the Epidemiological Study:

Background:

Children are more susceptible to serious health consequences stemming from incorrect medication dosage than most adults are. Many parents misjudge the correct measurement of the prescribed medicinal dose they intend to give their children. The problem comes from having more than one unit of measurement when it comes to prescribing medication. Different units of measurement like milliliters, teaspoons, and tablespoons tend to be used interchangeably. Confused parents inadvertently confused teaspoon with tablespoon, or use a kitchen spoon to measure although, as we know, kitchen spoons vary greatly in size and shape, leading to inaccurate measurement. Using the milliliter as a single standard unit of measurement for pediatric liquid medication has been suggested as the best approach to improve clarity and consistency of dosing instructions.

Data and Methods:

Between May 31st, 2010, and September 10th, 2011, a cross-sectional study was conducted with data collected in person, by phone interviews, and by chart review from parents of children seen in 2 pediatric hospital departments (Bellevue Hospital & Woodhull Medical Center). The study included children under the age of 9 that had been prescribed a daily oral liquid medication of 1 or less doses per day for 14 days. Parents were asked to report the dose they gave their children and were observed administering doses in order to measure the parent’s ability to portion out their intended dose (dose parent reported giving) and compare it to the prescribed dose. Parents whose doses varied by over 20% were considered as making inaccurate measurement and parents whose measurements were within 20% were categorized as accurate.