Prescription medications are only available with a doctor’s recommendation. The rules limiting access to medications help protect the general public. Some types of medication pose a risk of abuse or addiction. Many others can cause health complications if taken improperly. A doctor’s oversight can potentially allow someone to safely take a medication that might otherwise be dangerous.
In some cases, people receive medication directly from medical professionals. Nurses often administer medications to people in hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities. Unfortunately, sometimes medical professionals can make mistakes when administering medication. Those mistakes can have negative implications for the patient involved. Medication errors can cause serious side effects, limit the effectiveness of treatment or result in death. The following are the most common medication errors made in professional environments.
Medication mix-ups
Even with years of training and experience, medical professionals can administer the wrong drug. Distraction while administering medications or labeling issues might result in a medical professional administering the wrong drug to a patient. Receiving the wrong drug is dangerous for several reasons. The patient might have an adverse reaction. The drug might interact with other medications they take. They may also suffer negative consequences from an interruption in their treatment protocol.
Dosage errors
It is quite easy for the professionals administering medication to make mistakes regarding the dosage administered. Especially when administering injectable medications, a slip of the fingers could lead to a vastly different dose than what the patient should receive. Dosage errors can result in someone not receiving adequate medication or may put them at risk of an overdose.
Timing errors
Particularly when someone receives the medication via intravenous (IV) delivery, a timing error is the most likely medication error they might experience. Improperly inputting data into an IV machine or failing to change out IV bags promptly can lead to timing issues that could diminish the efficacy of treatment or put someone at risk of an overdose.
Medication errors can constitute medical malpractice when they are the result of negligence and when they cause harm. Pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit might be necessary for affected patients, especially if a dosage error results in major consequences. Patients and surviving family members who realize that mistakes are both common and preventable may feel empowered about seeking compensation in the event that such harm occurs.