Preventing Prescription/Medication Errors

A recent study by Consumer Reports indicates prescription medication errors injure 1.5 million people a year; a number not too comforting for those with family members who rely on medication. Out of all the medication errors, it is estimated that there are 400,000 preventable drug-related injuries that occur in hospitals alone. Some 530,000 prescription medication errors occur among Medicare recipients and in outpatient clinics.

There are several leading factors that contribute to prescription medication errors:

• Poor penmanship
• Sloppy Pronunciation
• Look-alike labels

Missing medication guides may also contribute to the improper usage of the medication. Consumer Reports found four of the five pharmacies that filled a prescription for warfarin did not include a medication guide. These medication guides are important as they inform consumers of drug warnings and proper usage of the drug.

To help protect yourself or those you love who take prescribed medication, you should always start in your doctor’s office with a “Brown Bag Review”.

A brown bag review is a process in which one gathers all of their medicine, which includes over-the-counter drugs and supplements, and takes them to their primary doctor. The doctor will review the medicine for drugs that may no longer be needed, medication that can be taken at a lower dose, duplicate medication, and conflicting drugs which may be potentially dangerous.

After you clean up and know your medications at home, here are some tips from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to help ensure you take the right medication for the right condition at all times

• Read the prescription. With any new prescription, always make sure you can read what is being prescribed. If you can’t read the prescription, a pharmacist might not be able to either. If you can’t read it, have your doctor write you a more legible copy.
• Know what your medicine is used for. Ask your doctor what the medication is being prescribed for and how it should affect you.
• Use the same pharmacy. Pharmacies can catch many errors simply by checking their database each time you fill or refill a prescription.
• Double check your medicine after you receive it to make sure it is what the doctor ordered. Make sure the label on the prescription matches what the doctor told said you would receive. Also check the shape, color, and size. If this was a refill, is it different than before?
• Write down all the names of your medications, vitamins, and supplements. This will help doctors coordinate your care if you have multiple doctors. It will also help keep you safe should you be involved in an accident and need medical attention. The emergency workers will see what medications you may be on.

If you or a loved one has been affected as a result of a prescription or medication error, contact the Sweeney Law Firm to have your case reviewed. The initial consultation is free. If we agree to accept your case, we will handle your case on a contingent fee basis. We only get paid for our services if there is a settlement or recovery of funds.

Resources:
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/prescription-drugs/medication-mix-...
http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2010/06/preventing-drug-errors-in...
http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2008/04/whats-in-your-m.html
http://www.webmd.com/news/20110628/some-drugs-sold-without-safety-inform...
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11623
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/medicationerrors/default.htm