Hospital Medication Errors

As we go through our work day, our thoughts are often on things other than our work. For most of us, our drifting mind means lack of productivity. A mistake caused by such lack of concentration simply means extra work fixing a problem. For health care professionals involved in the medication delivery system, the consequences are often much more serious.

According to statistics found at the United States Food And Drug Administration Website, www.fda.gov, between 770,000 and 1.3 million patients are injured each year by medication errors; as many as 7000 people die each year due to medication errors; and nearly 1 of every 5 doses of medication given in U.S. hospitals involve medication errors. Given the size of the problem, you would expect much more media attention would be focused on the issue. However, if it were not for the recent events surrounding the overdose of Dennis Quaid's twins with Heparin, most of us would never even suspect there is a problem. The reality is the Quiad twins were lucky. They appear to have escaped the ordeal with little or no long term repercussions. Unfortunately, many other children are not so lucky. For example, I recently represented an infant that was the victim of a medication error in a hospital. He is now in a permanent vegetative state similar to Terry Schiavo. The financial recovery we achieved on his behalf will pay for his care for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, it will not change the outcome.

While it is too late for my client, it is not too late for others. Ultimately, only health care providers themselves can solve the problem. However, there are many things we can do to help. Encouraging public awareness of the problem with medication errors is the first step. Educating yourself regarding what to look for and what questions to ask concerning your own medication is the next step. The final step of holding those accountable for their mistakes is one that hopefully none of us will ever have to take.

Scott Distasio
Florida Medicine Mistake Lawyer

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
1-888-595-0022