Author: Hossam Elgnainy

Medication safety is crucial in neonatal care, given neonates’ unique vulnerabilities, especially premature infants. This chapter highlights the need for safe medication administration in neonatal settings, given neonates’ fragile physiology and susceptibility to errors. It offers an overview of medication safety principles, focusing on equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed for neonatal medication administration. Key areas covered include the medication administration process, with attention to accurate dosing, weight-based calculations, and personalized treatment. Proper medication storage, labeling, and adherence to expiration dates are emphasized. High-risk medications and strategies for risk mitigation are discussed, along with the role of technology in enhancing safety. The chapter also stresses reporting and learning from medication errors, promoting robust reporting systems, blame-free environments, and education for medication safety. In summary, this chapter provides foundational insights for healthcare professionals into neonatal care, enabling safer medication use and improved patient care.