How can you prevent the shocking effects of medication Errors?

 

Medication errors can have devastating consequences, highlighting the critical importance of vigilance in prescribing, dispensing, and administering medications. These real-life medication errors range from incorrect dosages to dispensing the wrong drug entirely, often with life-altering repercussions. By exploring real-life cases, we can uncover valuable lessons and equip ourselves to prevent similar tragedies.

According to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, medication errors are among the most common medical errors, and they end up harming around 1.5 million people every year.

First of all, Med-Q wants to show you some actual medication error stories., Second of all, what are the impacts on health and quality of life.  And finally, what can be done do to minimize the risks of errors.

Example #1 is an Infant that died because of Miscalculated the proper Dosage

Here is a tragic example of the results of a medication error.  This one took place in Brooklyn, New York.  An infant named Amaan Ahmmad, was prescribed an antibiotic by his health care providers.  The goal was to treat an infection. The prescribing physician made a deadly error.  He mistakenly calculated the dosage based on adult parameters.  He should have done the calculations based one child’s weight. This mistake led to a fatal overdose, resulting in the infant’s death.  What were the events that led to this tragedy?

• Miscalculation of the proper dosage
• An extreme failure not to check the proper pediatric prescription

Case 2: A Drug Mix-Up

A 86-year-old female patient had a kidney transplant.  After the procedure she was prescribed an immunosuppressant.  However, she was wrongly dispensed a chemotherapy drug.  She took the pills in her Med-Q Pill box with fatal resulted.  Thea pharmacy technician’s error was deadly for her.

The patient suffered severe side effects and delays in their treatment, as they took the wrong drug for three weeks.

What Went Wrong:

• An error was made and discovered but not reported
• Lack of a robust verification system in the pharmacy

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Case 3: Overdose in a Hospital Setting

Mistakes happen in the ER.  At a peak load, in a busy hospital emergency department, a nurse accidently injected eight times the prescribed dose of a sedative to the patient. The mistake was simple. The doctor miscommunication to the nurse.  The mistake was in using the proper unit of measurement. Instead of milligrams, the nurse thought the doctor told her that it was in micrograms.

The results were very bad.  First the patient became unresponsive.  Second, he was into a hypotensive state.  Finaly, he grew apneic.

What were the things that lead to the mistake:

• Confusion over the proper measurement units
• Lack of a system in place designed to m verify correct dosages

Hospitals need to be able to standardize communication methods.  Furthermore, the need to adopt electronic prescribing systems to will also help to prevent more similar type of mistakes.  Implementing a regular training for medical staff on dosage calculations is also essential.

Medication Error Prevention, some Practical Advice

In fact, there are many extremely effective ways to minimize the occurrence of mistakes. These include improved systems, patient education.  In addition, vigilance from both healthcare providers as well as the patient themselves.  They must work together to achieve the best results.  Listed Below, Med-Q Medication Compliance systems offer up this advice:

1. Double-Check Every Step

Healthcare providers must ensure that every prescription is carefully reviewed and verified. From doctors to pharmacists, multiple layers of oversight can help catch errors before they reach the patient.

2. Use Technology

Technology, such as electronic prescribing systems and barcoding, can reduce human errors. These tools cross-check prescriptions, flag potential drug interactions, and provide alerts for incorrect dosages.  A Smart digital pill dispenser like the Med-Q pill box will greatly lower the risks of medication mistakes.

3. Keep the Patients Educated

Patients need to know the what’s & ifs about their personal medications. This includes:

• The exact purpose that the drug is being taken
• Proper dosages and schedules ( a smart pill box will be needed)
• What are the Potential side effects to keep a look out for

This knowledge empowers them to spot errors and advocate for their safety.

The Role of Patients in Preventing Medication Errors

Patients play a vital role in maintaining health and wellbeing. Here’s some tips on how they can help prevent medication errors:

1. Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to clarify:

• Why has the medication been prescribed
• Proper dosing direction including how and when to take it
• Are the potential negative interactions with other supplements or prescription drugs that are being taken

First, in the vent you are not certain, ask questions.  Second, if you might think the pills looks different, ask the question.  Third, if your regular dose is being changed, ask the question.  In summation, don’t blindly rely upon your healthcare professional.

2. Keep an Accurate Medication List

Maintain an accurate list of all medications being taken.  The list ought to include any and all over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Share this list with every healthcare provider.  This will serve to help to avoid dangerous interactions.

3. Read Labels Carefully

It is critical to labels and instructions before taking medication. If anything seems confusing, contact your pharmacist or doctor immediately

4. Do a double check at the Pharmacy

Before leaving the pharmacy, check your pills.  Make sure you’ve gotten the right medication. When you get home, do a double-check on the various labels.  Put the proper doses in you pill box or medication reminder. Keep the instructions in as safe place.

5. Get a digital Pill Dispenser with alarms

A smart pill box can help prevent forgetting and over-dosing.  Modern pill boxes have flashing and audio reminders.  Remember, no matter how miraculous a medication is, it will not work iof you are not taking it as prescribed. Before leaving the pharmacy, check your pills.  Make sure you’ve gotten the right medication. When you get home, do a double-check on the various labels.  Put the proper doses in you pill box or medication reminder. Keep the instructions in as safe place.

The Impact that Medication Mistakes can affect

There are impacts that will go far beyond just the physical consequences.  Indeed, medication errors can lead to overwhelming amounts of emotional distress.  Thius applies to both the patients and their families.  The same will often apply with the actual healthcare providers.  Finally, their mistakes will lead to feelings of guilt, anger and much new mistrust.  These feeling may linger long after the mistakes.

1. For the individual Patients and Families and Friends

Patients have been known to lose trust in their healthcare providers.  Friends and family will a struggle with guilt if they feel as thou they could have prevented the disaterous mistakes. Counseling and open communication can help people cope with these newfound emotional burdens.

2. For Healthcare Providers

Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists involved in medication errors often experience guilt and anxiety, especially when errors lead to severe outcomes. Support systems, such as peer counseling and error-reporting mechanisms, can help them cope and learn from mistakes.

First of all, we must learn from past mistakes.  Second of all. past mistakes are an opportunity to make things better in the future. Medication error stories should be spoken about in medical schools to healthcare professionals during their training.  This way everyone can work together to prevent these common medication errors.