By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
Home HealthNewsPublic Health

Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly

Liz Seegert
Liz Seegert
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

I was never a great math student. Maybe that’s why I became a writer. I may have struggled with pre-calculus, however, math literacy was not an issue.

I was never a great math student. Maybe that’s why I became a writer. I may have struggled with pre-calculus, however, math literacy was not an issue.

Unfortunately, that’s not true for some parents, according to a study presented Saturday at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Boston. And that result can be life-threatening. Researchers found that nearly one in three parents they tested had low reading skills and the majority —  83 percent — of parents had poor numeracy skills (27 percent had skills at or below third grade level).

In this study of parents with children under age 8, those with third grade math skills or below were five times more likely to measure the wrong dose of medication for their child than those with skills at the sixth grade level or higher.

More Read

Address Workplace Stress with Help from a Digital Coaching Program
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Healthcare Technology in the 21st Century
HIPAA Rights Expanded: Opening the Door to Patient Access to Lab Results
The Misconception That American Has The Best Healthcare In The World
FDA Power Grab

H. Shonna Yin, M.D., M.S., FAAP, assistant professor of pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center and a co-author of the study said that various measurements for liquid dosing, such as milliliters, teaspoons and tablespoons can often be confusing.

“Parents may need to understand numerical concepts such as how to convert between different units of measurement, like milliliters, teaspoons and tablespoons. Parents also must accurately use dosing cups, droppers and syringes, many of which vary in their measurement markings and the volume they hold.”

We often hear about health literacy being associated with medicinal errors. Many of us never think about the impact of math skills on health. In this study, reading and math skills of the 289 participating parents were assessed several times. Then the parents were observed as they measured out a prescribed dose of liquid medication.

Forty one percent made a dosing error. Low math scores in particular were associated with measuring mistakes, especially in those adults with very poor numeracy.

Clearly there need to be coping strategies developed for these parents, and others that struggle with both reading and math skills. Medication errors in children are a serious problem, and can lead to permanent disability or death. Many adults, unfortunately, are embarrassed to admit they don’t understand.

Health providers should use office visits as an opportunity to assess and help educate parents – “For example, having providers review and give parents pictures of dosing instruments filled to the correct amount for that prescription may be beneficial,” said Dr. Yin.

This is also a smart strategy to incorporate into prenatal visits or classes for expectant parents, as well as other forms of public health education.

Mistakes happen. But when it’s your child’s health on the line there is no margin for error. If you are unclear about any medication prescribed for your child, don’t guess.

Ask your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist to explain, until you absolutely understand what to do. Always double check that the correct prescription was filled when you pick it up at the drugstore. Even if your math skills are fine, double check anyway. Your child’s life may depend on it.

TAGGED:health literacypharmaceuticals
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Racing to Nowhere: The Susan B Komen Foundation

February 8, 2012
Medicine Doctor
Health careMedical EducationPublic Health

5 Compelling Reasons to See a Functional Medicine Doctor

July 28, 2021
hearing loss
News

7 Painful Ways Untreated Hearing Loss Will Hurt Your Life

March 29, 2021
News

Weekly Dose of Top 5 Healthcare Stories You Might’ve Missed

December 21, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?