Medical errors affecting the pediatric intensive care patient: incidence, identification, and practical solutions.

The complexity of patient care and the potential for medical error make the pediatric ICU environment a key target for improvement of outcomes in hospitalized children. This article describes several event-specific errors as well as proven and potential solutions. Analysis of pediatric intensive care staffing, education, and administration systems, although a less "traditional" manner of thinking about medical error, may reveal further opportunities for improved pediatric ICU outcome.