Safe Paediatric Prescribing Course for South East Scotland

This safe paediatric prescribing module can be accessed remotely and comprises three sections.

The first is an introduction to paediatric prescribing, revising pharmacokinetics and local policy for safe prescribing.

The second section uses clinical cases to illustrate prescribing challenges and focuses on areas where errors frequently occur. Adverse drug reactions, antibiotic monitoring, medication error reporting and discharge prescriptions are covered.

The final section focuses on intravenous fluids.

Aims and Objectives

• Educate junior doctors about prescribing principles in paediatric medicine.
• Familiarise junior doctors with local prescribing policies and guidelines.
• Create a useful online learning module that can be accessed remotely and can be used for education, reference and assessment.
• Reduce medication-related errors by improving prescribing within paediatrics.

Curriculum

Content is mapped to RCPCH level 1 competencies of safe prescribing in paediatrics. It is also mapped to GMC good medical practice guidance on prescribing and to local prescribing policies.

The module is PC and tablet compatible. It is divided into three colour-coded sections (introduction, medications and intravenous fluids) allowing easy navigation using a progress bar. Each section has clearly defined learning objectives and interactive activities, which simulate realistic prescribing challenges. There are learning activities and assessments (formative and summative) that require completion before progression to the next screen is permitted.

A traffic light marking system differentiates correct answers (green) from answers that are correct under certain circumstances (amber) to those that are incorrect or unsafe (red). Explanations accompany each answer to consolidate learning points. Links to national resources and local prescribing guidelines are embedded within the module.

Learning Outcomes

Section 1:

• Understand why prescribing for children is different.
• Understand basic pharmacokinetics in children.
• Know how to safely write a prescription for a child.

Section 2:

• Safely prescribe common paediatric medicines such as antibiotics, antipyretics and analgesia(oral and IV preparations).
• Safely monitor blood levels of medications.
• Know how to report a medication error according to local policy.

Section 3:

• Assess a child’s clinical fluid status.
• Know the types of intravenous fluids commonly used in children and indications for use.
• Calculate fluid requirements for a child (resuscitation, maintenance, deficit and replacement).

The course has been endorsed by the local trust.

Access the course on LearnPro here.

Project Lead: Dr Rozi Ardill

Organisation: NHS Lothian