The purpose of this assignment is to create a final PICOT question for your DPI Project to be approved by the college. • APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected. Please see the attached Rubric for this Assignment Using the “PICOT Question Template,” submit your final PICOT question for college approval What are the Factors Impacting Medication Administration Errors on 3-4-Year-old Leukemia Patients
Title: Factors Impacting Medication Administration Errors on 3-4-Year-old Leukemia Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Introduction:
Leukemia is a type of cancer that most commonly affects children between the ages of 3 and 4 years. Medication administration errors in this vulnerable population can have severe consequences on their overall health and treatment outcomes. Understanding the factors that contribute to these errors is crucial in developing effective interventions to mitigate the risk and enhance patient safety.
PICOT Question:
In 3-4-year-old leukemia patients, what are the factors that contribute to medication administration errors during treatment?
P (Population): 3-4-year-old leukemia patients
I (Intervention): Factors contributing to medication administration errors
C (Comparison): N/A (as this is an exploratory study, no specific comparison is needed)
O (Outcome): Identification of factors contributing to medication administration errors
T (Time): Not applicable (as this is a systematic review and meta-analysis, there is no specific time frame)
Significance:
Administering medications safely to 3-4-year-old leukemia patients is paramount, as medication errors can lead to adverse effects, treatment delays, increased healthcare costs, and poor treatment outcomes. Identifying the factors that contribute to these errors can help healthcare providers to implement targeted preventive measures, improve medication safety protocols, and optimize patient care.
Background:
Medication errors are a significant problem in healthcare settings and can occur at any stage of the medication administration process, from prescribing to dispensing and administration. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), preventable medication errors are responsible for thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Among pediatric patients, medication errors are particularly concerning due to their unique characteristics, such as age-related developmental variations, limited communication abilities, and a higher vulnerability to adverse drug reactions.
Children diagnosed with leukemia often require complex chemotherapy regimens, which heighten the risk of medication errors. The severity of these errors can range from minor mistakes, such as incorrect dosing, to more critical errors, such as administering the wrong drug or route. Identifying the factors that contribute to medication errors specific to this population can guide healthcare providers in developing targeted interventions and improving patient safety systems.
Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted to identify the factors that contribute to medication administration errors in 3-4-year-old leukemia patients. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines will be followed to ensure the transparent reporting and methodology of the study. Electronic databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, will be searched for relevant articles published within the last ten years.
Inclusion criteria for the study will include primary research studies that focus on medication administration errors in 3-4-year-old leukemia patients. Studies that examine factors contributing to medication errors in pediatric oncology or other types of cancer will be included if they provide specific data on the targeted population. Exclusion criteria will comprise review articles, case reports, and articles that do not provide sufficient data on medication administration errors.
Results:
Upon completing the systematic review and meta-analysis, the study aims to identify and evaluate the factors contributing to medication administration errors in 3-4-year-old leukemia patients. The results will be synthesized using appropriate statistical methods, such as meta-analysis and/or narrative synthesis, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. The findings will be presented in a comprehensive manner, highlighting the factors and their respective impact on medication errors. Additionally, the study will explore potential interventions to mitigate these errors and enhance patient safety.
Conclusion:
By comprehensively investigating the factors impacting medication administration errors in 3-4-year-old leukemia patients, this study aims to fill the existing research gap and provide valuable insights for healthcare providers. The findings will contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions and enhance patient safety in pediatric oncology settings. Ultimately, the goal is to improve medication administration practices and optimize treatment outcomes for this vulnerable population.