The KidzMed project: teaching children to swallow tablet medication

Arch Dis Child. 2020 Nov;105(11):1105-1107. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-317512. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Abstract

Tablets are safer, more convenient and cheaper than liquid medications. Children and young people (CYP) often remain on liquids due to habit, reluctance to change or staff and parents' lack of knowledge about switching to tablets. We describe a quality improvement project to train staff and embed a system of converting eligible children to tablet medication. A series of tests of change were made including training, making kit available, publicity and developing team protocols. In 3 months, 21 out of 25 eligible CYP were successfully converted with added benefit of saving £46 588 per year. Switching children to tablets is simple but requires whole team engagement, culture change of expectations and available resources.

Keywords: liquid medication; patient safety; quality improvement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral*
  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Deglutition
  • Humans
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Tablets / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Tablets