Improving medication safety for children in schools using a new electronic system.
Official title: Assuring Medication Safety in K-12 Schools: Implementing and Evaluating the Electronic School Medication Administration Record (E-SMAR) System
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11052631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new electronic system to help school staff give the right medications to K-12 students who need them during school, making it safer and easier for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $345,622 |
| NIH project number | 5R18HS029292-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are K-12 students in the Iowa City Community School District who have chronic medical conditions requiring medication during school hours.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not attend school or do not require medication during school hours may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the safety of medication administration for K-12 students who require medication during school hours. It aims to implement and evaluate a new electronic system called the Electronic School Medication Administration Record (eSMAR) in schools, which will assist school nurses and unlicensed personnel in accurately administering and documenting medications. By addressing the challenges posed by budget cuts and the lack of trained school nurses, this project seeks to reduce medication errors and improve health outcomes for children with chronic medical conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce medication errors in schools, leading to better health and academic outcomes for children with chronic medical conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific eSMAR system is novel, similar technology-assisted approaches in healthcare settings have shown promise in reducing medication errors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farag, Amany — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Farag, Amany
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.