Medication errors are a serious concern in the healthcare system, often resulting in harmful consequences for patients. For those who are concerned that they or a loved one may be a victim of medical malpractice, it's essential to understand what constitutes a medication error and what affected victims can do about this issue.
Types of Medication Errors
A medication error refers to any preventable event that leads to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. These errors can occur at various stages of the medication process.
There are a few types of medication errors to be aware of, including these:
- Prescription Errors: Mistakes made by healthcare providers when prescribing medications, such as incorrect dosage, wrong medication, or prescribing a medication that interacts negatively with other drugs the patient is taking.
- Dispensing Errors: Errors that occur when pharmacists or pharmacy technicians dispense medications, such as providing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage to the patient.
- Administration Errors: Mistakes made by healthcare providers or patients when administering medications, such as giving the wrong dose or administering medication via the wrong route (e.g., intravenously instead of orally).
- Documentation Errors: Errors related to documentation of medication administration or patient information, which can lead to confusion or incorrect medication orders in the future.
It’s not just doctors who can be liable for a medication error. Any healthcare professional whose role is to prescribe, dispense, administer, or document a patient’s medication can be responsible for a medication error claim. This includes—but isn’t limited to—nurses, physician’s assistants, and pharmacists.
The Consequences of Medication Errors
Medication errors can have severe consequences for patients, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening complications.
Some potential consequences of this type of medical malpractice include:
- Adverse drug reactions
- Allergic reactions
- Worsening of medical conditions
- Organ damage
- Disability
- Death
These consequences can incur new medical costs for injured patients and their families. For this reason, it’s wise to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer who can help you exercise legal options that may result in recovering financial compensation.
Steps to Take If You've Experienced a Medication Error
If you believe you've been affected by a medication error, it's crucial to take the following steps:
- Seek Medical Attention: If you experience any adverse effects from a medication, seek immediate medical attention to address the issue and ensure your safety.
- Document the Incident: Keep detailed records of the medication error, including the name of the medication, dosage, date and time of administration, and any adverse reactions experienced.
- Report the Error: Notify your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the medication error. Reporting the incident can help prevent similar errors in the future and may be necessary if you decide to pursue legal action.
- Consult with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer: If you've suffered harm due to a medication error caused by healthcare negligence, consult with a medical malpractice lawyer. They can evaluate your situation and provide legal guidance.
Contact Us for Legal Assistance
Medication errors are a significant issue in medical malpractice law. If you or a loved one suffered because of a medical professional’s negligence regarding a prescription drug, our medical malpractice lawyer can help you seek financial compensation.
Michael J. Doyle, Attorney at Law, is a legal service provider you can trust to help you with your claim. By scheduling a free consultation with us, we can learn more about your claim and explain how we may be able to help. Reach out to us as soon as possible to take the first step toward pursuing your recovery.
Request your free consultation now by contacting us online.