One potential form of medical malpractice is when a doctor or a nurse commits a medication error. The ramifications can be severe, causing serious injury to the patient. In fact, some reports estimate that there are roughly 7,000 fatal cases of medication errors every year in the United States.
Exactly what these medication mistakes look like will differ from case to case. Below are a few examples.
Providing the wrong medication
In some cases, the patient gets a medication that was never intended for them or that was even intended for a different patient. This may mean that it does not treat their symptoms. If a patient needs a life-saving drug and they do not receive it, they could pass away as a result, or their condition could significantly worsen.
Failing to read medical records
Often, patients are asked if they are allergic to certain medications. If a medical professional does not read these health records, they could inadvertently give the patient a type of medication that leads to a severe allergic reaction. It may have been perfectly safe for another patient with the same condition, but the allergy causes serious harm.
Creating an accidental overdose
In some cases, patients will be given multiple medications. If they are given the wrong one, it could have an adverse interaction with something else that they have taken. For instance, two medications may have the same active ingredient or similar symptoms, leading to an accidental overdose.
If you have suffered harm or lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, it is very important to understand exactly what steps you can take. Having experienced legal guidance will help.