SPECIAL POPULATIONS Neonates

The Institute of Medicine (lOM) estimates that between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths annually in the U.S. result from medical errors. While there is some debate about this estimate, it is clear that medication errors are common and result in significant adverse effects, including death. Databases of anonymously reported errors are maintained jointly by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the U.S. Pharmacopeia Medication Errors Reporting Program (USP MERP), and the FDA s MedWatch program. Adverse drug events occm in 3% of hospitalizations, and this number is larger for special populations such as those in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. 

Participant selection and exclusion criteria — including justification of the use of special participant populations, such as children, pregnant women, human fetuses, and neonates or the mentally handicapped — are appropriately established. 

Device-related, intravascular devices, ventilators, and tube-feeding infections Surgical-site infections and HAIs in special care units Infections caused by organisms that are antibiotic resistant Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases Infections in the neonate population Geographic location of the facility Volume of patient or resident encounters Patient populations served Clinical focus of the facility Number of employees and staff... 

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