On March 22, 2022, a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, was convicted of criminally negligent homicide for administering the wrong medication to a patient, resulting in the patient’s death. This case is a tragic reminder of the serious consequences that can occur when medication errors happen.
What is a Medication Error?
A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate use of a medication, or that may lead to patient harm. Medication errors can occur at any point in the medication use process, from prescribing to dispensing to administration.
Common Types of Medication Errors
Some common types of medication errors include:
- Wrong medication
- Wrong dosage
- Wrong route of administration
- Wrong time of administration
- Omitted medication
- Duplicate medication
- Medication allergy
Causes of Medication Errors
Medication errors can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Healthcare provider fatigue
- Lack of communication between healthcare providers
- Poorly designed medication packaging
- Look-alike medications
- Sound-alike medications
- Illegible handwriting
Consequences of Medication Errors
Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients, including:
- Injury
- Death
- Allergic reactions
- Drug interactions
- Prolonged hospital stays
- Increased healthcare costs
What to Do if You Think You Have Been a Victim of a Medication Error
If you think you have been a victim of a medication error, it is important to take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the error to your healthcare provider.
- Keep a record of all medical expenses and lost wages.
- Contact a Memphis medication error injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options.
How a Memphis Medication Error Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a medication error, a Memphis medication error injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can investigate the error to determine who was responsible and can help you file a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. He or she can help you get compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, holding the responsible party accountable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one has been injured or lost a loved one due to a medication error, contact Darrell Castle & Associates today. We offer a free consultation to all potential clients so you can learn more about your legal rights and options without any risk.
We have a team of experienced Memphis medication error injury lawyers who are dedicated to helping our clients get the justice they deserve. We will fight to get you the maximum compensation possible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We are here to help.
How to Prevent Medication Errors
There are a number of things that can be done to prevent medication errors, including:
- Healthcare providers should take breaks and avoid working long hours when possible.
- Healthcare providers should communicate effectively with each other.
- Medication packaging should be designed to minimize confusion.
- Look-alike and sound-alike medications should be stored separately.
- Healthcare providers should use electronic prescribing systems whenever possible.
By taking these steps, we can help to reduce the risk of medication errors and protect patients from harm.