Medication Error Prevention Strategies in Paediatric Wards: An Operational Review of Hospitals in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Paediatric patients are highly vulnerable to medication errors due to weight-based dosing requirements, limited drug formulation options, and communication barriers. Establishing robust error prevention strategies in paediatric wards is an institutional patient safety imperative. This study reviewed medication error prevention strategies in paediatric wards of hospitals in Plateau State. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted across five hospitals including Jos University Teaching Hospital and four secondary hospitals. Structured observation of prescribing, dispensing, and administration processes was performed over two months. Patient safety officers and ward pharmacists (n = 25) were interviewed on existing prevention protocols. Medication error incident reports from the preceding twelve months were also reviewed. Results: Pharmacist presence in paediatric wards was confirmed in only two of five hospitals. Weight documentation before prescribing was inconsistent (performed in 61% of cases). Double-check protocols for high-alert drugs were absent in four facilities. Dose calculation errors accounted for 38 percent of reported medication errors. Conclusion: Medication error prevention infrastructure in Plateau State paediatric wards is inadequate across most hospitals. Pharmacist integration in paediatric teams, systematic weight documentation, and double-check protocols are non-negotiable safety standards to implement. Keywords: medication errors, paediatrics, Plateau State, patient safety, dose calculation