Using information technology to reduce pediatric medication errors

• Objective: To describe efforts in medication error prevention and reduction at an academic children's medical center. • Methods: The general process used involved (1) identifying βroken" medication processes using "tribal knowledge" and formal data collection, (2) designing solutions using developers with multiple domain (clinical and programming) expertise, (3) implementing integrated applications using a existing local area network and limited-scale, Web-based information technology solutions, and (4) evaluating the results using defined measures and user surveys. • Results: Error rates were reduced. Contributory factors included user satisfaction secondary to reduced workload and the perception of a safer work product. • Conclusion: Information technology can reduce errors by streamlining repetitive processes and simplifying complex ones.