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Medication Errors

The term "medication error" covers a whole2001,  available  at:
manner of sins. What is a medication error?
Perhaps it is better to explain by providingSo what can be done to prevent medication
examples  of  medication  errors.errors?
Example A - your physician is aware you are1. Keep an active record of all medications
allergic to a medication but prescribes ityou are taking. Write it down and provide
anyway;copies  to  all  physicians.
Example B - Other medications you are2. Research any medication allergies. How do
currently taking are contra-indications to ayou know you are allergic? What is the
new medication your physician justgeneric name of the drug to which your are
prescribed, but she doesn't read theallergic  -  know  it  all.
medication package insert and now you are
taking medications which may prevent the3. Tell your pharmacist about all medications
others from being effective, or worse, theiryou are taking. He may only have records of
combination  may  cause  injury;medications dispensed at his pharmacy - so
give  them  notice  of  all  medications.
Example C - Medicine A can only be taken by
people who can walk or are otherwise mobile,4. Tell your family and provide them with a
and physician prescribes it for his doublelist of your medications. It is likely that
amputee  patient  who  cannot get out of bed;in an emergency you will not be able to speak
for  yourself.
Example D - Pharmacy receives a prescription
for medication A but fills your bottle with5. Speak to your physician - ask why she is
medication  B;prescribing each medication? What are the
side effects? Have you been on this
Example E - Pharmacy fills correctmedication  before?  Keep  a  record.
prescription but prints wrong dosing
directions so you are now taking the6. Unsure about dosage? Unsure about
medication 9 times a day, rather than 3 timescombination with other medications? CALL YOUR
per day ordered by your doctor. An overdosePHYSICIAN… Call, and write down the
occurs  causing  injury.name of who you spoke with and what they
said.  KEEP  NOTES.
There are almost too many examples of
medication errors to list. And many playersThe Federal Government has also produced a
in the health care field can cause or fail tolist of how to prevent medication errors. See
prevent medication errors, from physicians,What is recommended? Pretty similar list to
to nurses and pharmacists. Medication errorsours - sadly, both lists are created for
are such a big deal in health care today thatconsumers and patients. And it is important
the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) hasto note that it is not your duty to prevent
been researching errors these errors whileall medication errors. It is the duty of your
attempting to create and implement programshealthcare provider to do so, but if they
and rules which would prevent such errors.fail, your diligence may be the difference
How is the FDA doing at minimizing thesebetween another preventable injury or death
errors and the resulting needless injuriesfrom  a  medication  error  and a close call.
and deaths? Well, it must be a difficult
challenge because the FDA admits "ImprovingSo please, be organized and diligent about
patient safety continues to be a challenge."your medications. And if you have had a
Final Summary of Food and Drug Administrationmedication error occur, and have suffered
(FDA) Action Items - Doing What Counts forinjury as a result, please do not hesitate to
Patient Safety: Federal Actions to Reducecontact our firm.
Medical Errors and Their Impact, February



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