One of the most common types of medical malpractice is a medication error. If you’re in a hospital setting or working with a healthcare provider, you need to be aware that such a mistake could have severe ramifications. In some cases, patients even pass away due to these medication errors.
Part of the issue is that these mistakes can take many different forms. There is not just one type of complication that patients should watch out for. Let’s look at some examples of possible medication errors below.
Different types of errors
Keep in mind that the following is not an exhaustive list and that your case is unique. But these are examples of some common medication errors that researchers see in the American healthcare system:
- Prescribing an improper dose, which is either too low to be helpful or so high that it is dangerous.
- Telling patients to take medications at the wrong time.
- Making a prescribing error, such as prescribing the wrong drug entirely.
- Administering the wrong drug to a patient, or administering the correct drug to the wrong person.
- Prescribing two medications that are going to interact in a dangerous fashion, such as two painkillers that could lead to an overdose when used together.
- Prescribing unauthorized medications or a medication that the patient is allergic to.
In many cases, these medical mistakes only come to light when that patient suffers serious complications. If you’re in this situation, you may need emergency medical care, you could suffer irreversible harm, and you could even be in danger of passing away. At a time like this, be sure that you and your family members understand exactly what legal options you have.