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Administering the wrong medication to a patient is one of the leading
types of medical negligence that causes serious injury and illness.
In 2002, approximately 100,000 people were given the wrong
medication from a medical professional. Seven thousand people were
killed because they were given the wrong medication. Wrong
medication can lead to serious problems for the victims of this type
of medical negligence. Wrong medicine administration is one of the
best tracked medical errors and can occur in hospitals, pharmacies,
nursing homes, and in home care.
Wrong medication medical negligence can be the result of many
mistakes. The wrong medication altogether may be administered or the
improper dosage of the correct medicine may be prescribed. The wrong
medication may be given to a person with drug allergies, someone who
is taking other medications that cause adverse reaction when
combined, or someone with special health considerations (i.e. liver
and kidney problems) that may be affected by this wrong medication.
Wrong medication can also be the cause of medical problems that, if
not recognized, may be improperly treated.
Children and infants are particularly at risk for health problems
resulting from wrong medication administration. Children who are
given the wrong medication do not have the immune systems or the
chemical tolerance to handle wrong medication as well as adults.
Medication dosages are particularly important in drug administration
to children because of specific age and weight factors. It is
estimated that one in every eighteen prescriptions that are written
for children are the wrong medication or dosage. Because of weight
and age requirements, overdose is more likely in children who are
given the wrong medication than in adults.
Nurses follow the "Five Rs" in medication administration as part of
their standard of care responsibilities. These include: 1) the Right
medication to 2) the Right Patient in 3) the Right dose by 4) the
Right route at 5) the Right time. These Rs must be adhered to so
that a patient does not receive the wrong medication or medication
that will injure or harm them in some way. If this standard of care
is not adhered to and the wrong medication is given, the health care
professional may be liable in a medical malpractice case.
Studies show that nine out of ten cases of wrong medication
administration can be easily avoided when proper medical precautions
are taken. If you or someone you love suspects or has knowledge that
they have received the wrong medication from a health care
professional, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your
illness or injury. A wrong medication medical malpractice victim has
the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages,
disability, and pain and suffereing.
To find out about your rights and options in a wrong medication
case, please contact us to confer with an attorney.
Contact us by
Email or call us today at (401) 788-0600 to speak with a
someone from our firm..
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