Pharmacy Technician’s Role in Pediatric Medication Safety
Activity Overview
Please read the following information about this continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activity before accessing the presentation using links located at the bottom of this page.
Accreditation for Pharmacists
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity provides 1 hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit (ACPE activity #0204-0000-16-440-H05-T).
Target Audience
This continuing pharmacy education series was planned to meet the needs of pharmacy technicians in a variety of settings, and it would be particularly beneficial for pharmacy technicians, supervisors, and educators who are interested in learning about safe medication practices in pediatrics.
Activity Content
Preparing medications for pediatric patients is more complicated than preparing medications for adults. Doses usually must be calculated and most medications are not available in required doses. In addition, pediatric patients vary greatly in size and weight. This educational activity will identify the ages and drugs most associated with medication errors. Additionally, faculty will review reasons that children are predisposed to medication errors and describe technology systems which minimize medication errors. Strategies that pharmacy technicians should implement in their practice to enhance pediatric medication safety will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives
After participating in this knowledge-based educational activity, participants should be able to
- Identify pediatric ages and drugs associated with medication errors.
- Describe reasons children are predisposed to medication errors.
- List pharmacy technology systems which minimize medication errors.
- List strategies technicians should implement to enhance pediatric medication safety.
Faculty
Sheila Pedigo, Pharm.D., BCPS
Pediatric Clinical Specialist
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia
Sheila A. Pedigo, Pharm.D., BCPS, is currently Pediatric Clinical Specialist at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond. Dr. Pedigo received her Batchelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens, Georgia and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist with extensive experience in the field of pediatric pharmacy. Her specific interests in pharmacy include the areas of neonatology and medication safety.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education’s Guidelines for Standards for Commercial Support, ASHP requires that all individuals involved in the development of activity content disclose their relevant financial relationships. A person has a relevant financial relationship if the individual or his or her spouse/partner has a financial relationship (e.g., employee, consultant, research grant recipient, speakers bureau, or stockholder) in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services may be discussed in the educational activity content over which the individual has control. The existence of these relationships is provided for the information of participants and should not be assumed to have an adverse impact on presentations.
All faculty and planners for ASHP education activities are qualified and selected by ASHP and required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. ASHP identifies and resolves conflicts of interest prior to an individual’s participation in development of content for an educational activity.
The following faculty and planners have no relationships pertinent to this activity.
Sheila Pedigo, Pharm.D., BCPS
Sylvia Q. Banzon, B.A., CPhT, CQIA, HACP, PMP, TFCSHP
Edna Bowser, CPhT
Rebecca B. Brewer, CPhT
Al Carter, Pharm.D., M.S.
Angela Cassano, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP
Donna Hamilton, R.Ph, MBA
Mary McHugh, R.Ph.
Bradley Miller, CPhT, PhTR
Erin M. Ryman, B.S., CPhT
Rita Shane, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCSHP
Angela Triggs, R.Ph.
ASHP staff has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Methods and Format
This activity is available in three formats:
- Web-Based CE. An online activity consisting of audio and slides (optional PDF handout with slides):
Launch Presentation - Podcast. An audio-only version of the presentation that can be downloaded to your computer or portable MP3 player (optional PDF handout with slides)
Launch Podcast - Monograph. E-publication
Launch Monograph
Participants must complete the entire activity, take the activity assessment and evaluation to receive continuing education credit. A minimum score of 70% is required on the test for credit to be awarded. A copy of the assessment test is provided as a study aid in the handout. CE credit will be reported directly to CPE Monitor. The estimated time to complete this activity is 1 hour (allow additional time to complete the assessment and evaluation).