Every year, almost 1.3 million Americans are injured by preventable medication errors while under the care of medical professionals. Not only are these errors unnecessary, but they are also damaging and even fatal. Almost half of fatal medication errors affect senior citizens, who are already more vulnerable to medical error than the average middle-aged American. Furthermore, over 40% of fatal medication errors are caused by administering an improper dose of the medication, which is often caused purely by negligence on the part of a medical professional.
Some of the most common medication errors include the following:
- Incorrect dosage
- Mixing medications improperly or giving a dangerous combination of drugs to a patient
- Giving the wrong medication to a patient
- Incorrect packaging or labeling
- Poor distribution to or monitoring of patients taking medications
- Administering medications improperly
What You Can Do to Prevent Medication Errors
Although medication errors occur under the administration of medical professionals, there are some important guidelines that you should follow to prevent dangerous medication errors:
- Always keep doctors and other health professionals informed about any prescribed medications, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, or even herbal remedies that you are taking. Any of these can interact with medications in potentially fatal ways.
- Make sure to keep your medical history up-to-date. Inform medical professionals of any changes in your medical history, as well as any current conditions for which you are being treated.
- Inform medical professionals of any known allergies, especially allergies to any medications. While you may think that an allergy is irrelevant, you never know which allergies are related to others that may affect a doctor’s choice when prescribing medication.
- Always make sure to get clear instructions on how to use any medication prescribed to you. Read all warnings and heed instructions given by doctors.
- If a medicine looks different than what you are accustomed to taking, ask about it. While the appearance may have changed, double-checking that you are taking the correct medication never hurts.
- Ask any questions you may have. The more information you have about your medication, the better. If one medical professional does not give you a satisfactory answer, ask someone else.
These simple methods can help prevent potentially serious complications. Unfortunately, however, it is not possible to prevent 100% of medical errors by your own actions. Doctors, hospital staff, and other health professionals are responsible for preventing medication errors and they are accountable for errors that occur.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a medication error, a medical provider may be liable for his or her negligence. Contact us at the Gladstein Law Firm to help hold health professionals responsible. We are always available for a free consultation to review your situation and inform you of your legal rights and options. Seth Gladstein and his associates will work to help you seek the compensation that you deserve.
