Medication errors are a leading cause of death in America and one of the reasons a significant number of people file for medical malpractice lawsuits. When this kind of mistake happens in a hospital, it often gets traced back to a nurse’s poor judgment or an incorrect order from a doctor, but there are other ways medication errors can occur. Read on to learn more.
What are medication errors?
Medication errors occur when a patient or caregiver gets the wrong drug or dosage; this can lead to serious health complications or death. Usually, the error occurs as a result of human oversight or miscommunication, but there are other factors that could contribute to the problem. For example, dispensing errors can occur when medications get stored improperly, or if they’re prepared in bulk and then later distributed incorrectly.
What are some causes of medication errors?
There are many different ways a medication error can occur. One of the most common examples is when a pharmacist misreads the label of medication and gives it to someone with an entirely different prescription. Other errors might occur if there’s no clear understanding between caregivers about which medications are being administered, or because multiple staff members giving out prescriptions at once.
What are the consequences of a medication error?
The aftermath of medication errors can be quite bad depending on the drug involved. For example, if someone overdoses on a narcotic painkiller, they might experience respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest. On the other hand, if someone receives too little of their prescribed medication, they might not get relief from their symptoms or illness.
What should you do after experiencing a medication error?
If you or your loved one has experienced harm as the result of a medication error, it’s important that you take action against those responsible. This might include filing an injury claim with the hospital involved; if their negligence played a part in causing the error, they could be liable for your damages.
The consequences of a medication error can be very serious, so it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. Besides ensuring that you receive medical attention immediately following a medication error, don’t hesitate to take the necessary steps to seek compensation for your damages.