Dangers of Medication Error and Pharmacy Error

 

You are not feeling well so you schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Said doctor runs some tests and gives you the prescription to fill at your local pharmacy. If you are like most people, you look at the writing on the piece of paper and wonder if the pharmacist will be able read the doctor's hand writing and give you the correct medication. You think to yourself, I am smart, but I cannot read this. Then your mind starts to wonder. What if the pharmacist really cannot decipher the doctor's handwriting on the prescription! What if the pharmacist gives me the wrong medication! What if the pharmacist gives me incorrect dosage of the prescription! What if...!!!!

According to a New York injury attorney, the above scenario is all too real for thousands of people across the United States. Lawyer firm in Illinois. The fact is medication mistakes do occur. These errors can happen when you are a patient in the hospital, when you get prescriptions filled at your local pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, on-line pharmacy, or even when you take your medicines in your own home. While some medication errors do not cause permanent injury or damage to the patient, a vast majority of patients do experience severe illness, medical complications and even death. A recent study estimated that medication error occurs in approximately 5% of patients admitted into hospitals yearly. Furthermore, approximately 100,000 individuals die each year as a result of medication error.

There are many reasons for nurse or pharmacy medication errors. Some of the common reasons are: poor physician communication of needed medication (includes situations where the doctor's medication orders were not legible or communicated clearly); confusion between drugs with similar names; poor or improper labeling and packaging of medication; improper use of abbreviations; incomplete patient medical history (not knowing patient's allergies, other medications being taken by said patient); fatigue or overworked nurse or pharmacist; distracted nurse or pharmacist; wrong medication given to patient; packaging multiple medications in similar packages.

Medication errors and pharmacist mistakes will occur; however, there are precaution that you can do to lessen your chances of being injured by medication error or pharmacist mistake. Some suggestions are: tell your health care provider of ALL the drugs that you are currently taking; make sure that the nurse checks your chart before administering any kind of medication; have your health care professional explain the benefits and potential side effects of your medication. If you are elderly, have the health care professional explain the medication to your family member as well. Constantly remind your doctor, nurse or pharmacist of your known allergies. Never chew, crush, break or mix the tablet or capsule in fluid. Check the dates on your medication and do not take expired medication. Have your doctor or pharmacist review all your medications for potential conflicts. Only use the measuring device that comes with liquid medication. If possible try to get all your medication from the same pharmacy.