2.4 Data analysis
Demographic data of the patients including birth, sex, body weight and
diagnosis were collected. Drug information such as dose, frequency,
route of administration and indication for use were also retrieved from
the electronical medical records of each hospital. Prescriptions with
incomplete data, electrolytes, contrast media, total parental nutrition,
traditional Chinese medicine, intravenous infusions such as glucose and
chloride and transfusion were excluded in this study. Data were
collected, combined and analyzed in Excel for Windows using standard
descriptive methods for demographics and prescriptions.