Medication can cure illness and treat symptoms effectively. However, this only applies when the correct medication is administered.
Medication errors do happen, and they can have serious consequences, from minor side effects to life-threatening complications. Outlined below are some more notable examples of medication errors.
Prescription errors
A prescription error happens when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication or dosage or gives the wrong instructions. This can occur due to miscommunication, misdiagnosis or confusion between similar drug names. Patients receiving the wrong medication may not get the treatment they need, and in some cases, they may experience serious side effects.
Dispensing errors
Pharmacists play a key role in ensuring patients receive the correct medication. Nonetheless, dispensing errors can happen if a pharmacist misreads a prescription, fills the wrong drug or provides incorrect instructions. Even a small mistake, like confusing dosage amounts, can put a patient at risk.
Administration errors
Errors in administering medication occur when a nurse or caregiver gives the wrong drug or incorrect dose. This is common in hospitals and nursing homes, where staff may be rushed or handling multiple patients simultaneously. Some administration errors include giving medication at the wrong time or through the wrong route, such as injecting a drug meant to be taken orally.
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals owe you a legal duty of care. This means that they must act within expected industry standards. Giving you the wrong medication may constitute medical malpractice if it was more than an oversight and you suffered injuries.
To assess the strength of your claim, it is in your best interest to seek legal guidance.