• Audrey R Kennedy and Lindsay R Massey.
• Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
• Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2019 Sep 16; 76 (19): 1481-1491.

PurposeRisks and vulnerabilities of the medication-use process in nonpediatric institutions that also serve pediatric patients are reviewed, and guidance on risk mitigation strategies is provided.SummaryThere are many risks and vulnerabilities in the medication-use process as it relates to pharmacotherapy for pediatric patients admitted to adult institutions. Mitigation of these risks is critical and should encompass various available resources and strategies. Special emphasis should be placed on use of technology to improve overall safety. Available literature recommends optimization of technology and resource use, institutional support for pediatric pharmacists' involvement in managing pediatric medication use, and provision of early exposure to pediatric patients in pharmacist training programs as additional methods of mitigating risks associated with pediatric medication use in adult institutions. Adult hospitals that provide care for pediatric patients should assess their processes in order to identify hospital-specific interventions to promote pediatric medication safety.ConclusionPediatric medication safety frameworks in U.S. adult institutions vary widely. Treating pediatric patients involves risks in all areas of the medication-use process. Optimizing technology, utilizing external resources, supporting a pediatric pharmacist, and providing early-career exposure to pediatric patients are methods to mitigate risks in institutions that primarily serve adult patients.© American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2019. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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