Table 2 Examples of medication prescribing errors in the pediatric ward of Dessie referral hospital, February 17 - March 17, 2012

Wrong dose

A 3 year old patient ,weight 10 kg, was prescribed ceftriaxone 250 mg IV BID instead of the correct dose of 500 mg IV BID in the treatment of meningitis

Wrong route

Diclofenac sodium 75 mg was prescribed to be given through IV instead the correct route IM route

Incomplete prescriptions

Paracetamol suppositories: missing essential information about dose, frequency and route of administration

Inappropriate indication

Both Dexamethasone 8 mg IV stat and dexamethasone 8 mg IV QID for 3 days were prescribed for the treatment of severe croup, while dexamethasone 8 mg QID for 3 days was unnecessary

Wrong dosage form

Amoxicillin syrup 125 mg/5 ml was prescribed instead of the correct dosage form which is suspension

Wrong frequency

Ampicillin 30 mg intravenous was prescribed four times a day instead of the correct frequency of twice a day for a one day old baby