Thousands of individuals suffer from prescribing, receiving and taking the wrong medication every single year, including roughly 7,000 pediatric patients. This can have serious adverse effects on the body. In some cases, it can result in the fatality of the individual. For that reason, it is crucial that New York residents do their part in preventing a prescription error from happening to them.
Many patients do not realize that they can actually help doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from making a medication error. However, the primary reason that medication mistakes occur in the first place is because of inadequate communication between the patient and his or her doctor. For that reason, it is important that patients take the time to learn more about new drugs.
When a physician is starting patients on a new medication, it is crucial that one asks any questions that they may have. This includes questions about the dosage, frequency, its use, possible side effects and potential interactions with current medications. It also doesn't hurt to keep an updated list of all current medications one is taking. All of this can go a long way in reducing harm caused by medications.
Although New York patients can help reduce medication errors from happening, it doesn't necessarily mean that the medical professional is never at fault or that it won't ever happen. Whether a prescription error was intentional or accidental, someone will be hurt in the process, and the responsible individual deserves to be held liable for his or her negligent actions that led to such harm being done. In most cases, the error was made on behalf of the doctor, and a medical malpractice claim may be able to provide the victim with financial restitution to assist with medical costs, lost wages and other related damages that occurred as a result of the error.
Source: Michigan State University Extension, "Avoiding medication errors", Holly Tiret, Sept. 27, 2014
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