Medication errors can occur in any environment where medications are used, but they are especially prevalent in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Medication errors can involve the wrong medication being given to a patient, incorrect instructions for taking a medication, or incorrect doses of medication being prescribed.
These mistakes can have serious—even deadly—consequences. It’s important to understand the different types of medication errors and what you should do if you or someone you know has been affected by one.
Types of Medication Errors
Some of the most common examples of medication errors include:
- Prescribing the wrong dosage or formulation of a drug
- Giving the wrong drug to a patient
- Administering drugs at improper intervals or with inappropriate combinations
- Neglecting necessary monitoring tests when prescribing certain drugs
- Providing inadequate instruction on how to take medications correctly
- Failing to recognize drug allergies or interactions
Adverse Effects of Medication Errors
Medication errors are dangerous because they can lead to serious health risks for patients. The most common effects include nausea and vomiting, allergic reactions, seizures, organ damage from overdoses or adverse reactions, and even death in some cases. Because prescription drugs come with potential side effects even when taken correctly—such as nausea and fatigue—it’s important for doctors to be aware of these possible complications before prescribing them.
If a medical professional fails to recognize the potential danger associated with certain drugs or combines incompatible substances without considering their potentially harmful interactions, this constitutes malpractice.
North Dakota Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Your health is of the utmost importance, and the team at Maring Williams Law Office wants to aid in your recovery. For over 30 years, we have helped countless individuals and their families pursue medical malpractice claims against negligent facilities and practitioners. If you believe there was wrongdoing during the course of your treatment, call (701) 402-6644 to schedule a free consultation.
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