Medication Errors Attorney
Medication errors are the most common medical errors in hospitals across the United States, with around 1.5 million reported cases annually. On average, there is at least one medication error every day at every hospital in the U.S. In most cases, medication errors have little to no long-term effects on the patient. However, there are numerous cases of medication errors that cause permanent long-term side effects or even death. In most cases, errors are noticed after the patent is discharged from the hospital when doing a medical record review. If the medication error will not result in significant injury, it is often downplayed. However, when an error can result in substantial harm to the patient, the hospital must notify the patient about the error. Medication errors are rarely defensible. Many doctors will downplay the effect of any admitted medication error or claim not to know the effect. Since most medication errors occur in patients with underlying medical conditions, the precise impact of a medication error may be more challenging to identify.
Unfortunately for patients, most doctors will try to hide the effect of any medication error under the complexity of the patient’s original medical problem. Any patient or family who notices a medication error should have the medical records reviewed by a medical malpractice and negligence attorney. The attorney will be able to determine the relationship between the medical condition and the medication error.
In most cases, the primary evidence of a medication error is the administration of corrective medication. For example, Narcan will be administered to counter the effects of a narcotic pain medication overdose. Protamine will be administrated to counter the effects of an overdose of Heparin. These are the most common medication errors that occur in hospitals.
The usual cause of most medication errors involves a combination of
- poor writing by doctors
- miscommunications among doctors, nurses, and pharmacists
- failure by nurses to check orders given by doctors
In severe cases, the cause is ordinarily a combination of errors by multiple medical providers. Because of any medication error implications, hospital personnel are taught to write as little as possible in the patient’s chart. Instead, they complete a detailed form that goes directly to the hospital attorney. Therefore, it is not discoverable in a medical malpractice or negligence case.
If you or a loved one suffer from an injury caused by a medical professional, it could be the result of medical malpractice or negligence. Contact an attorney today to have your case evaluated. CALL US ANYTIME (281) 475-4535 or fill out a consultation form here to start the process.