Elk & Elk

Call For A Free Consultation  | 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378)

  • Home
  • How We Can Help
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Car And Auto Accidents
      • Distracted Driving Accidents
      • Fatal Car Accidents
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Car Accident FAQs
      • Truck Accident FAQs
      • Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents
      • Seattle Car Accidents
    • Drug Medical Device Injuries
      • Hip Replacements
      • Transvaginal Mesh
    • Personal Injury
      • Dog Bites
      • Slip-And-Fall Accidents
      • Brain Injuries
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injuries
      • Medical Errors
      • Surgical Errors
    • Workers Compensation
      • Workplace Accidents
  • Testimonials And Reviews
  • Blog
  • Articles
    • Legalized Marijuana Raises Impaired Driving Issues
    • Traffic Congestion Health And Accidents In Seattle
  • Contact
logo

Call For A Free Consultation  | 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378)

  • Home
  • How We Can Help
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Car And Auto Accidents
      • Distracted Driving Accidents
      • Fatal Car Accidents
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Car Accident FAQs
      • Truck Accident FAQs
      • Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents
      • Seattle Car Accidents
    • Drug Medical Device Injuries
      • Hip Replacements
      • Transvaginal Mesh
    • Personal Injury
      • Dog Bites
      • Slip-And-Fall Accidents
      • Brain Injuries
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injuries
      • Medical Errors
      • Surgical Errors
    • Workers Compensation
      • Workplace Accidents
  • Testimonials And Reviews
  • Blog
  • Articles
    • Legalized Marijuana Raises Impaired Driving Issues
    • Traffic Congestion Health And Accidents In Seattle
  • Contact
logo

Call For A Free Consultation
1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378)

  • Home
  • How We Can Help
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Car And Auto Accidents
      • Distracted Driving Accidents
      • Fatal Car Accidents
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Car Accident FAQs
      • Truck Accident FAQs
      • Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents
      • Seattle Car Accidents
    • Drug Medical Device Injuries
      • Hip Replacements
      • Transvaginal Mesh
    • Personal Injury
      • Dog Bites
      • Slip-And-Fall Accidents
      • Brain Injuries
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injuries
      • Medical Errors
      • Surgical Errors
    • Workers Compensation
      • Workplace Accidents
  • Testimonials And Reviews
  • Blog
  • Articles
    • Legalized Marijuana Raises Impaired Driving Issues
    • Traffic Congestion Health And Accidents In Seattle
  • Contact

New study reports medication errors cause more harm than you think

| Jul 25, 2019 | medical malpractice

Every medical professional has a duty to provide the best possible care to each patient they see. Unfortunately, medical errors are still common in hospitals and care centers across the country. 

According to NBC News, nearly one in ten patients suffer complications or severe injuries because of preventable medical errors. And NBC cites a recent study which determined that a large portion of those errors involve medication or treatment mistakes. 

Almost half of errors related to medication and treatment 

The report determined that of all the patients they studied, more than 49% of injuries and harmful effects resulted from a doctor prescribing the incorrect or improper medication. These injuries, called “adverse drug events,” often depend on the individual and the type of drug. 

However, common issues include when doctors:

  • Prescribe medications the patient is allergic to
  • Prescribe multiple medications that interact negatively
  • Prescribe unnecessary medications
  • Administer medications improperly
  • Administer too much medication, leading to an overdose
  • Use medications inappropriately

All of these medication errors are preventable. Medical professionals have a responsibility to check their work and ensure that they provide patients with the correct medicines and doses.

How can individuals reduce the risk of medication errors?

Seeking medical care should not leave individuals afraid that they will suffer a severe injury. The rate of medication errors is alarming, but there are steps individuals can take to avoid the risk.

The Mayo Clinic provides a few helpful tips, such as:

  • Confirming the prescription with the doctor, and perhaps even with another medical professional, before taking it
  • Informing doctors of any allergies immediately and asking what the medication contains
  • Asking and understanding possible side effects and determining what to do if they experience side effects
  • Keeping a detailed record of all medications

These steps can be beneficial. They can help individuals advocate for themselves and protect their health. However, it is still–and always will be–the duty of medical professionals to avoid these easily preventable mistakes. If individuals believe that they or a loved one suffered from a medication error, they may be entitled to recover compensation.

Recent Posts

  • 3 things to know about dog bite claims
  • 4 common types of surgical errors
  • What are the three types of distracted driving?
  • Is delayed cord clamping dangerous?
  • What causes road rage?

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016

Categories

  • birth injuries
  • blog
  • distracted driving
  • Firm News
  • Injuries
  • medical malpractice
  • motor vehicle accidents

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

It All Starts With a Free Consultation

Talk to an attorney for free and learn about your legal options.

VISIT OUR SEATTLE OFFICE

Elk & Elk
1325 4th Avenue
Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101

Map & Directions

CALL

1-844-ELK-WEST

(1-844-355-9378)

CONNECT

Review The Firm
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Elk & Elk Co., Ltd.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

VISIT OUR SEATTLE OFFICE

Elk & Elk
1325 4th Avenue
Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 1-844-355-9378
Map & Directions

CALL

1-844-ELK-WEST

(1-844-355-9378)

CONNECT

Review The Firm
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

It All Starts With a Free Consultation

Talk to an attorney for free and learn about your legal options.

CONTACT US TODAY

VISIT OUR SEATTLE OFFICE

Elk & Elk
1325 4th Avenue
Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101

Map & Directions

CALL

1-844-ELK-WEST
(1-844-355-9378)

CONNECT

Review The Firm
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Elk & Elk Co., Ltd.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters