There are numerous types of medical malpractice, but medication errors are often overlooked. Medication errors can occur in hospitals, doctor’s practices and pharmacies. The consequences of such errors can be serious and even fatal.
It’s important to understand the most common causes of medication errors so that you can advocate for your rights as a patient. Outlined below are some important points to remember.
Common types of medication errors
There are several types of medication errors. Here are some of the most common types:
- Administering the wrong drug: Some medications have similar names but very different functions. Doctors and pharmacists must label drugs properly.
- Wrong dosages: Even if the right medication is prescribed, the dosage is vital. For example, children generally need smaller doses and so do many individuals with compromised immune systems.
- Not checking allergies: Allergies to certain medications can be fatal. Doctors should assess patients to obtain allergy information and base treatment plans around that information.
- Reactions to other medications: Patients may be on multiple medications that react with one another. Doctors must be careful to avoid adverse reactions between different medications.
Factors that contribute to medication errors
There are several factors that contribute to medication errors. Not training staff properly, understaffing and fatigue are just some notable examples. Medical institutions must ensure that relevant staff are competent in prescribing medication and are not impacted by factors that may affect their judgment.
Prescribing the right medication is part of the legal duty of care owed by medical professionals. If this duty has been breached and you were injured as a result, personal injury compensation could be an option. Seek legal guidance to assess whether or not you qualify.
