Providing medication continues beyond supplying the correct prescription. Proper administration is equally crucial. Hence, even if the doctor prescribes the right medicine and dose and sufficiently checks for allergic reactions and contraindications, the patient can obtain an injury if the person administering the medication improperly does so.
Many things could go wrong with administering a patient’s medication, one of which is giving the drug too fast.
Rapid injection of drugs and their different effects
Each drug has its own administration guidelines, providing the drug description, indications and usage, contraindications and precautions, among others. This includes the minimum and maximum rate of dosage to administer per minute. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to minor to severe injuries.
For instance, IV administration that is too quick can cause speed shock to a patient, causing them to experience side effects, such as headaches, chest tightness, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.
Another example is the administration of Furosemide, a drug used to treat hypertension and edema. Medical standards recommend administering this drug at a maximum rate of four milligrams per minute. Otherwise, it might lead to toxic concentrations that can cause tinnitus or deafness.
A cause for a prescription error lawsuit
The law expects physicians, nurses and other medical technicians who administer drugs to calculate the correct rate of drug administration as well as ensure that the pump used to administer the drug is correct and functioning properly. Otherwise, they can be liable for any injuries their patients acquire due to their mistakes or negligence.
As a patient, you should know your rights, which include the right to receive the correct prescription, dosage and rate of administration. If you believe you are a victim of improper administration of medication, working with a knowledgeable medical malpractice legal team can help you build a strong case and maximize the compensation for your injury.
