Causes Behind Wrong Medication Errors

Administering the wrong medication is one of the common medication errors that can occur either in a hospital setting or even at a pharmacy. This type of medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or even death.

In 2002 there were about 100,000 individuals in the United States who were given the wrong medication. Those are startling statistics. Even more startling is that 7,000 people were killed because of these medication errors.

The good news for patients is that this type of common medication error is the easiest one to track. This can make proving medical negligence easier than other forms of medical malpractice.  

Some of the most common causes for the wrong medication being prescribed or administered include: 

• Miscommunication (between doctors and patients, doctors and nurses, doctors and pharmacists, etc.)
• Medications with similar names
• Misdiagnosis
• Personnel unable to read notations or prescriptions
• Understaffing
• Lack of training
• Lack of up-to-date medical information (on patient or on the medication) 

Anyone can be at risk of a serious injury if given the wrong medication. No matter what the cause, most medication errors are preventable and may constitute medical malpractice if such an error resulted in serious further injury.

You can learn more about common medication errors and other forms of medical malpractice by visiting our article library.

Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080.