UK: Digital tool reduces paediatric prescribing errors by over 80%

In the high-stakes world of paediatric care, a tiny miscalculation can mean the difference between a fast recovery and a medical scare. A new study has revealed that Touchdose, a digital prescribing tool, has slashed medication errors for children by over 80% — a breakthrough that's making clinicians breathe a little easier.

Developed with backing from the NHS, Imperial College London, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Touchdose is now live across four West London hospitals. The goal? Take the guesswork — and the mental math — out of paediatric prescribing.

How does it work?

Touchdose quietly embeds itself in the clinician's daily workflow. It draws on trusted sources like the British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for Children, local clinical guidelines, and the patient's electronic health record. Together, these ensure every prescription has the correct:

• Dose - tailored to the child's weight and condition
• Frequency - at safe and effective intervals
• Duration - no more and no less than necessary
• Route - oral, IV, or otherwise, precisely as needed

Instead of relying on mental arithmetic or free-floating apps, clinicians get instant, reliable calculations built into their existing systems — no extra clicks, no extra stress.

Why does it matter?

Children are uniquely vulnerable to medication errors. Their physiology is different, and their margin for error is razor-thin. A single mistake can lead to harm, treatment delays, or longer hospital stays — even when caught early. That's why this tool feels so significant. Professor Marian Knight, NIHR Scientific Director for Research Infrastructure, put it plainly: "Getting the right treatment straight away is best for patients, saves valuable staff time within the NHS and prevents delays in recovery."

Reducing errors by 80% isn't just a statistic — it's a shift in the safety culture of paediatrics. It means fewer sleepless nights for parents, fewer emergency corrections for staff, and faster, safer care for children.

The context

Digital health is often hyped, but Touchdose is a reminder that the most impactful tech doesn't just dazzle — it protects. This tool is a poster child for evidence-based innovation: conceived with clinician input, supported by public research infrastructure, and deployed where the stakes are highest. By cutting cognitive load and standardizing best practice, it frees doctors and nurses to focus on what matters most — treating the child, not the calculator.

Want me to expand this into a slightly longer, more magazine-style feature (with anecdotes or a narrative flow from a clinician's perspective) to make it even more engaging?