Medication errors can cause serious harm to a patient in a hospital. These mistakes could be made by a variety of medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses or pharmacists.
But what exactly does a medication error look like? There are many different ways that this can take place, so let us look at three common examples below.
Administering the wrong medication
In some situations, the error could be that the doctor prescribes the wrong medication or that the patient is given the wrong prescription drug. For instance, say that a nurse has to give different medications to two patients and accidentally mixes up the orders, giving each person the wrong one.
Administering the wrong dose
Even when someone does get the medication that was intended for them, if they get the wrong dose, that could have a serious impact on their care. An overdose on some medications, such as prescription painkillers, can actually be fatal.
Failing to consider the patient’s specific needs
Finally, some medication errors happen when the doctor makes a mistake, such as giving the patient a medication that they are actually allergic to. Their file should reflect the allergy, but if the doctor overlooks it, the patient could be inadvertently given a drug that will harm them. A similar mistake is when a patient is given two drugs that can have a dangerous interaction with one another.
Your legal rights
These are just a few examples of potential medical malpractice due to medication errors. If you or a family member has suffered harm, be sure you know what legal rights you have.
