Medication Mistakes & Malpractice Claims: Here’s What You Should Know (Pt. 3)

Wrapping up our three-part blog series Medication Mistakes & Malpractice Claims: Here’s What You Should Know, below are some final important facts to know when it comes to medication mistakes in the U.S.

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  Fatigue among medical professionals is big problem when it comes to medication mistakes – In fact, sleep deprivation, which is a common issue for medical professionals who work long hours or back-to-back shifts, is one of the single biggest risk factors when it comes to medication mistakes in the U.S.

  The reason that sleep deprivation and fatigue are so problematic is that these factors significantly increase the risk that nurses, doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals will:

  • Make medication mistakes
  • Fail to identify relatively obvious signs that medication mistakes have been made and are hurting people
  • Fail to intervene soon enough after identifying medication mistakes
  • Fail to administer the appropriate treatments to mitigate the impacts of medication mistakes.
• Medication mistakes are entirely preventable – While the previous facts about medication mistakes discussed in this blog have been painted a grim and possibly distressing picture of this potentially deadly type of medical malpractice, the good news is that these mistakes ARE preventable and that continual advancements in technology may end up being critical to decreasing these errors and saving people’s lives.

  In fact, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has outlined a number of specific ways in which medication mistakes can be prevented (or, at the very least, mitigated). Some of the ISMP’s recommendations for actions to be taken to reduce medication mistakes in the U.S. include (but are not necessarily limited to) making sure that:

  • Medical professionals have access to patients’ complete medical histories, especially when it’s time to diagnose conditions and prescribe medications
  • The medications themselves have lucid, clearly explained directions regarding how a specific drug is to be taken (and what may be contraindicated when taking that drug)
  • Medical professionals who deal with any aspect of administering medications to patients have better training, especially when it comes to communicating with patients.
  • The processes in place for tracking and monitoring the administration of medications are improved so that any future medication mistakes can be caught and resolved as early as possible.

Mount Vernon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have medication mistakes caused you to develop health complications? If so, the Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. may be able to help you. Since 1950, our experienced and trusted attorneys have been providing client-centered representation to people hurt by any type of medical malpractice in Southern.

In addition to always focusing on our clients’ needs, we are passionate about our clients, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their losses and injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life.

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Let’s discuss your case. To set up a free, no obligations initial consultation with one of our skilled lawyers, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to pursue your claim, and we can get your case started at no cost to you.