Prescription medications are subject to controlled substances laws. The only way for people with serious medical issues to access these drugs is through the recommendation of a doctor. Physicians determine what medical issues may have caused a patient’s symptoms. They then use that information to determine the best course of treatment.
In some cases, prescription drugs are the best option available. Doctors can recommend antibiotics to fight off infections or pain relievers to help people rest so that they can heal from soft tissue injuries. Unfortunately, they could make a mistake during the prescribing process that could have unfortunate consequences for their patients. Prescribing errors can lead to a variety of poor outcomes, including allergic reactions, drug interactions and even overdoses. The following factors increase the likelihood of doctors making prescribing errors.
Limited review time
Doctors have to look at a patient’s record and talk about their concerns in person to make informed treatment decisions. They need the time to consider the details carefully. Unfortunately, the pressure on medical professionals to be efficient and see 20 patients per day or even more may leave them incapable of providing the in-depth review necessary to properly diagnose a patient or ensure that a specific medication is appropriate for them. The more that doctors rush through the prescribing process, the more likely they are to overlook key details.
Outdated information
Medical doctors generally need to commit to continuing education to retain their licenses. However, many doctors become set in their ways and may fail to internalize recent medical advances, leading to them prescribing an inappropriate medication in some cases. Doctors who are unaware that researchers have identified an interaction between one medication and another, for example, might prescribe a patient a drug that could be dangerous when combined with another medication that they already take.
Rushing through patient education
Doctors generally need to inform their patients of contraindications, potential interactions, known side effects and other concerns related to a medication. They may need to explain to the patient how to take the medicine appropriately and what to avoid while using the medication. For example, people taking certain types of medications may need to avoid certain citrus fruits. Others may need to know that the medication they take could reduce how effective their birth control is. If doctors don’t thoroughly educate their patients, something could go significantly wrong when the patient self-administers the medication after filling the prescription.
Failing to monitor a patient’s reaction to the medication could also result in doctors overlooking warning signs of a negative reaction to the medication. Patients affected by medication errors and families grieving after a fatal medication issue may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. Recognizing that a prescribing physician might be liable because they were negligent could help people hold the right party accountable for a medication error.
