When you are ill and require hospitalization, you expect a high level of safety and care. Despite a hospital system’s reputation for excellence, hospitals can sometimes become the site of devastating medical errors. These errors, particularly medication errors, undermine patients’ safety and satisfaction and profoundly impact their well-being. Every medical decision carries immense weight in the high-stakes healthcare environment, and mismanagement can lead to catastrophic consequences.
The Journal of Patient Safety estimated that as many as 400,000 deaths occur annually in the United States due to medical errors, making these mistakes one of the leading causes of death (2013). On a global scale, the World Health Organization reports that nearly 134 million adverse events occur in hospitals yearly, with a significant proportion being preventable (2019). These statistics highlight the prevalent nature of medical errors and emphasize the urgent need for improved safety practices and rigorous standards in healthcare.
All medical decisions healthcare providers make have profound implications for patients and their families. It’s crucial that hospital systems and the individuals within them, including physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, and technicians, play an active role in safeguarding patients’ well-being while providing them with medical care. This requires constant vigilance and proactive measures to prevent medication errors at all stages of the medication administration process. Each healthcare professional has the power to make a difference in patient safety.
Medication errors can occur at any step of the patient care process, including:
- Incorrect Dosage: Patients can sometimes receive either too much or too little medication—which can have the opposite effect of its intended effect. This may include receiving a high dose of blood pressure medication (Labetalol), which drops a patient’s blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Dosage errors often stem from miscalculations, misinterpretations of medical orders, and failure to adjust doses based on individual patient needs, such as weight or lab values. Another stark reality is that some providers are careless and do not follow protocol. These mistakes can lead to permanent injury or death.
2. Wrong Medication: This includes receiving a medication other than the one prescribed by the providers. Such errors can occur due to look-alike or sound-alike drug names (e.g., Hydroxyzine, used for allergic reactions, versus Hydralazine, used for high blood pressure). Other wrong medication errors can occur due to communication breakdowns or labeling mistakes. The potential for harm is significant when patients receive incorrect medications.
3. Incorrect Route of Administration: Medications must be administered through the correct oral, intravenous, or topical route. Errors occur when there is confusion about the intended route or when medications are mixed up for different routes. Administering a drug that is meant to be swallowed versus administered intravenously can be deadly.
4. Timing Errors: The timing of medication administration is critical. Errors in this area include missed doses, administering doses too early or too late, or incorrect scheduling. Such mistakes can compromise the medication’s efficacy and potentially lead to adverse effects.
5. Incomplete Documentation: Accurate documentation is vital for tracking medication administration. Errors in this area can result in duplicate doses (such as receiving two doses of Lovenox – a blood thinner), missed doses, or incorrect medication changes. Proper documentation ensures continuity of care and helps prevent such issues.
6. Failure to Monitor: Some medications require close monitoring to assess their effectiveness and side effects. Neglecting this important aspect can result in undetected adverse reactions or ineffective treatment. Ongoing monitoring is essential to ensure patient safety and treatment success, such as in intensive care unit patients who often receive intravenous medications that stabilize their vital signs.
7. Allergic Reactions or Drug Interactions: Administering medication without fully understanding a patient’s allergies or potential drug interactions can lead to severe health issues. Comprehensive knowledge of a patient’s medical history is critical.
8. Miscommunication: Effective communication between healthcare providers—whether doctors, nurses, or different departments—is essential. Miscommunication or unclear medication orders can lead to errors in treatment.
9. Confusing Abbreviations or Orders: Medical abbreviations and poorly written orders can be easily misunderstood. Hospital systems often have standardized abbreviations, which provide clarity in written orders, which help reduce the risk of misinterpretation and improve patient safety. In some cases, providers fail to follow the standard of care.
10. Inadequate Patient Education: Patients and their families need thorough medication information to use them correctly. Inadequate education can lead to medication misuse or failure to recognize side effects.
Dealing with the aftermath of medical errors can be overwhelming. When a patient suffers due to a medical mistake, they may face a range of challenges, including prolonged physical pain, extended recovery periods, and additional medical treatments, which can lead to significant financial strain. The emotional toll of dealing with a preventable error often includes stress, anxiety, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system.
In these situations, a legal defense is crucial for holding healthcare providers accountable and achieving justice. At The Ghuneim Law Firm, our seasoned attorneys and legal staff will meticulously investigate the details of the medical error, collect evidence, and demonstrate how medical negligence occurred. Contact us at 833-GHU-NEIM or 281-487-8929 to schedule a free consultation.
References:
Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the U.S. The Journal of Patient Safety, 12(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0000000000000211
World Health Organization. (2019). Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062979