Medical Groups Call for Greater Focus on Pediatric Safety in Health IT

Children’s medical needs and treatments can differ significantly, both from those of adults and of each other, depending on factors such as their age, height, and weight. That’s why setting basic ground rules for electronic health records (EHRs) for the care of pediatric patients is so critical. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the federal agency that oversees EHRs, recently proposed detailed criteria that digital systems used in the care of children would be encouraged to meet. The proposal spells out clinical priorities specific to pediatric care settings and explains how electronic systems could implement them. ONC is currently reviewing comments by a wide range of stakeholders, including clinical societies representing medical and health IT professionals, health plans, hospitals, software developers, and others. When considering any changes, decision-makers should prioritize those criteria that can help limit medical errors and ensure that pediatric patients get safe, quality care. As an example, determining whether children are growing appropriately requires comparing their heights and weights with what is expected at that age. Additionally, when prescribing medications, clinicians may need to calculate drug dosages based on a child’s weight. Finally, vaccines, especially for newborns or toddlers, should be scheduled and delivered at the appropriate times. Under the current system for certifying EHRs, these pediatric-specific needs are not always assessed.