Medication Errors Deadlier Than Diabetes, Report Says

September 07, 2012 (Press-News.org) Preventable medication errors kill an estimated 98,000 people each year in the U.S., according to a study by the Institute of Medicine. By these estimates, as pointed out by Justice.org, preventable medication errors would fall between accidents and diabetes as the sixth-leading cause of death if they were included as a category by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What Is Medication Error?

A medication error is an accident, oversight or other preventable event that causes medication to be used incorrectly. Common types of medication errors include:
-Administering the wrong dose
-Providing the wrong drug
-Dangerous interactions between medications
-Using the wrong route of administration


More than 1 million people in the U.S. are harmed by medication errors annually, according to a report by the Mayo Clinic. A study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that 41 percent of all fatal medication errors involve providing the wrong dose of a drug.

How Does Medication Error Occur?

Most medication errors occur outside the home in hospitals, doctors' offices and pharmacies. They frequently occur as a result of:
-Miscommunication between health care providers
-Miscommunication with patients
-Similar-sounding medication names or ambiguous abbreviations
-Illegible prescriptions
-Unclear instructions


While medication errors affect patients of all ages and walks of life, older people are harmed in disproportionate numbers. In part, this may be because elderly patients tend to have multiple prescriptions, making errors more likely. Nearly half of all medication error fatalities affect individuals over the age of 60.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Good communication with your health care provider is a critical part of preventing dangerous medication errors. You can help protect yourself by asking questions about any new medications you receive:
-What is the name, dose and purpose of the medication?
-Are there any foods, drinks, activities or medicines that I should avoid while taking this drug?
-How will it interact with any other medicine I am taking?
-What are the potential side effects and what should I do if they occur?


If you or a loved one is harmed by a medication error as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be able to receive financial compensation for any resulting illness, injury or death. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer in your area to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.

Article provided by Harman, Warren & Harris, PLLP
Visit us at http://www.hwhlawyers.com