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Medication Errors

The term "medication error" covers aDoing What Counts for Patient Safety:
whole manner of sins. What is aFederal Actions to Reduce Medical Errors
medication error? Perhaps it is betterand Their Impact, February 2001,
to explain by providing examples ofavailable at:
medication errors.So what can be done to prevent
Example A - your physician is aware youmedication errors?
are allergic to a medication but1. Keep an active record of all
prescribes it anyway;medications you are taking. Write it
Example B - Other medications you aredown and provide copies to all
currently taking are contra-indicationsphysicians.
to a new medication your physician just2. Research any medication allergies.
prescribed, but she doesn't read theHow do you know you are allergic? What
medication package insert and now youis the generic name of the drug to which
are taking medications which may preventyour are allergic - know it all.
the others from being effective, or3. Tell your pharmacist about all
worse, their combination may causemedications you are taking. He may only
injury;have records of medications dispensed at
Example C - Medicine A can only be takenhis pharmacy - so give them notice of
by people who can walk or are otherwiseall medications.
mobile, and physician prescribes it for4. Tell your family and provide them
his double amputee patient who cannotwith a list of your medications. It is
get out of bed;likely that in an emergency you will not
Example D - Pharmacy receives abe able to speak for yourself.
prescription for medication A but fills5. Speak to your physician - ask why she
your bottle with medication B;is prescribing each medication? What are
Example E - Pharmacy fills correctthe side effects? Have you been on this
prescription but prints wrong dosingmedication before? Keep a record.
directions so you are now taking the6. Unsure about dosage? Unsure about
medication 9 times a day, rather than 3combination with other medications? CALL
times per day ordered by your doctor. AnYOUR PHYSICIAN… Call, and write down
overdose occurs causing injury.the name of who you spoke with and what
There are almost too many examples ofthey said. KEEP NOTES.
medication errors to list. And manyThe Federal Government has also produced
players in the health care field cana list of how to prevent medication
cause or fail to prevent medicationerrors. See What is recommended? Pretty
errors, from physicians, to nurses andsimilar list to ours - sadly, both lists
pharmacists. Medication errors are suchare created for consumers and patients.
a big deal in health care today that theAnd it is important to note that it is
Federal Drug Administration (FDA) hasnot your duty to prevent all medication
been researching errors these errorserrors. It is the duty of your
while attempting to create and implementhealthcare provider to do so, but if
programs and rules which would preventthey fail, your diligence may be the
such errors. How is the FDA doing atdifference between another preventable
minimizing these errors and theinjury or death from a medication error
resulting needless injuries and deaths?and a close call.
Well, it must be a difficult challengeSo please, be organized and diligent
because the FDA admits "Improvingabout your medications. And if you have
patient safety continues to be ahad a medication error occur, and have
challenge." Final Summary of Food andsuffered injury as a result, please do
Drug Administration (FDA) Action Items -not hesitate to contact our firm.



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