Closed-loop medication and infusion pump discrepancies: A human factors perspective

Errors and the incorrect use of medications are significant sources of risk and harm to hospitalized children. The potential severity and risk associated with medication infusions led to recommendations for adoption of technologies such as computer order physician entry (CPOE), “smart” infusion pumps, and barcode administration devices, designed to improve safety. More recently, there has been increased interest in implementation of “closed-loop” systems within which these technologies may operate. The ability of a closed-loop system to decrease errors, harm, and risk to patients has yet to be demonstrated.