Medication errors forcing hospitals to change treatment policies

April 16, 2013 (Press-News.org) Many of us have had an injury or illness that needed some degree of medical care. We may have visited a nearby clinic or our family physician to gain a better understanding of our condition and what we need to do to start feeling better. We trust the decisions that these professionals make, because we assume they have handled several cases like this in the past, and know what is best for us.

However, not every interaction between medical professionals and patients goes as planned. Doctors and nurses make mistakes, and these mistakes can lead to significant health consequences for patients. Some of these errors may even lead to medical malpractice claims against the medical facility, physicians and nurses.

Medication errors are some of the most common mistakes that can arise during treatment. When a doctor decides on a course of treatment for an individual, he or she will prescribe specific medications that must be used properly, or patients may suffer adverse health consequences.

For example, when an individual is about to undergo surgery, certain anesthetic drugs will be used to put the patient under. If the wrong medication is used, patients may feel the surgery or procedure being performed, but be unable to do anything about it. In some cases, incorrect or excessive doses of anesthetics may result in death for the patient.

Another example of the potential dangers associated with medication errors concerns cancer treatment. Chemotherapy will involve a blend of several different drugs, and if these drugs are not administered correctly, they can result in severe reactions for the patient, including death.

Because the consequences of medication errors can be so severe, some hospitals have started to address this issue by taking a team approach toward treating patients. Nurses are involved in the treatment plan for patients, which can allow them to address any potential medication concerns that they may have. This helps the nurses to provide the right medications to the patient, and also ensure that the right doses are administered as well.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of a medical professional, speak to a medical malpractice attorney about your potential claims. Often, these cases will require the testimony of experts to establish that the doctor, hospital or nurse was the cause of your current condition.

You may receive an offer from the insurance company of the doctor or hospital in an effort to get you to settle your claim. These insurers are looking out for their own bottom lines, and do not represent your best interests. While it may be tempting to settle your case, you need to know that if you settle too soon, you will not be able to recover additional compensation later if your expenses continue to accumulate.

Article provided by Lloyd Law Group
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