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Prescription Errors

In 2002, prescription errors in the United States resulted in more than 100,000 patients being given the wrong medication. Over 7,000 people died that year as a result of serious prescription errors. Prescription errors are some of the most frequent medical mistakes that occur in hospitals, medical offices, pharmacies, and nursing homes across the nation. When a pharmacist or medical technician fails to ensure that the right patient receives the proper dose of the right medication, they can be liable for the resulting damages that were caused by their medical negligence.

Prescription Errors: What Causes Them?

Prescription errors due to medical negligence can be the result of many mistakes including but not limited to:

• ordering a medication that a patient is known to be allergic to
• reactions of current medications with new medications
• persons with special health issues, such as liver or kidney problems, may suffer as a result of prescription errors when an inappropriate or unsafe medicine is administered
• wrong medication or the wrong dose being administered altogether

Physicians and nurses are notorious for illegible handwriting. If a pharmacist is unable to read their handwriting or misreads the instructions they may make prescription errors that could cause injury to a patient. When a person receives the wrong medication, they are most likely not receiving the necessary treatment they need. This can have major medical consequences and cause serious injury or even death. A person may actually develop health symptoms as a result of prescription errors. These drug reactions may be mistaken for another condition and then again be treated inappropriately with additional medications created a whirlwind of medical problems for the patient.

Prescription Errors & Children

Prescription errors can be extraordinarily dangerous when they involve children and infants. Young children are much more vulnerable to injuries because of dose related prescription errors than adults are. Children do not have the developed immune systems or the chemical tolerance to handle taking the un-prescribed medicine as well as adults. Evaluating specific age and relative weight factors are of particular importance in pediatrics to ensure that prescription errors do not happen. It is estimated that 1 in 18 prescriptions written for children involve prescription errors related to the type of medication or dosage.

Prescription Errors & Preventative Steps to Take

While there is no excuse for a medical professional's negligence, there are some steps that consumers can take to avoid prescription errors. Make sure to check all medications to ensure that the information is correct. Always ask the pharmacist about drug interactions and side effects, and make sure to read all available information on the medications you are given.

Contact An Attorney Near You

Prescription errors are very preventable when proper medical policies are adhered to. If you or a loved one has suffered damages, injury or illness as a result of prescription errors, you may want to learn more about your legal options. To learn more about medical malpractice involving prescription errors, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced Orlando medical malpractice attorney in your area.