Prescription errors more common in elderly patients

Chuck Boyk — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:52:00 GMT

Our Ohio medical malpractice lawyers see the devastating that effects that prescription errors can have on a family. Often times these fatal prescription errors are made during the care of an elderly or disabled person.

The Journal of Hospital Medicine reported that 49 percent of almost 500,000 hospital patients 65 and older have been prescribed one or more drugs known to be unsafe to older patients.

The Institute of Medicine reported that at least 1.5 million Americans are sickened, injured or killed each year by errors in prescribing, dispensing and taking medications.

Prescription errors can be characterized as any of the following:

• Prescribing the wrong medication
• Dispensing the wrong medication
• Prescribing the right medication in the wrong dosage
• Prescribing a medication that may have severe interactions with other medications the patient is currently taking
• Filling the wrong prescription or dosage
• Giving patients the wrong instructions for taking the medications
• Neglecting to monitor the patient's response to drugs
• Mislabeling the drug placed in a bottle and misuse of generic drugs

Our Ohio prescription error attorneys urge patients and caretakers to be extra cautious before taking any type of medication, whether it is over-the-counter or prescription, in order to prevent potentially fatal prescription errors. Talk to you doctor and your pharmacist about your medications, and make sure that the paperwork matches what you discussed.

Read all labels and make sure that the bottles have your name and contact information on it. Also make sure that your pharmacy is aware of all drugs that you are taking, in order to prevent adverse side effects or overdose.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Heparin deaths prompt surviving spouses to testify

Anneke Kurt — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:07:30 GMT

Two Toledoans testified Tuesday in front of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in Washington on the government’s need for safer U.S. drug supplies, specifically referring to heparin, a popular blood thinner used during dialysis and open-heart surgery.

Both people who testified lost family members to complications caused by the drug, which were administered in local Toledo health care facilities.

From January 2007 until February 2008, at least 81 wrongful deaths have been linked to heparin, as well as 785 personal injuries from allergic reactions. The Toledo Blade reports that 62 of the 81 heparin deaths occurred between November 2007 and February 2008.

According to the New York Times, controversy surrounds heparin that the drug was intentionally contaminated, as found in the written testimony Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's drug center. That is why stricter laws requiring more inspections of overseas companies may help the problem of unsafe drugs.

Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys urge patients to ask questions before taking any medication, in order to prevent personal injury. Find out why the drug is being used, if it can interact with any other medications you may be taking, as well as the side effects of the drugs. Avoid being the victim of medical malpractice by staying informed on your healthcare, as well as keeping your doctor informed on all aspects of your health.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Findlay Personal Injury Lawyer - FDA & Prescription Drugs

Prescription errors more common in elderly patients

Heparin deaths prompt surviving spouses to testify