Medication error includes a wide spectrum of errors encompassing inappropriate or unsuitable medication use or patient injury while the health care professional or patient have control of these medications. It can be related to errors regarding professional practice, a problem with the health care products, health care procedures and systems which including prescribing, communication, product labeling, packaging, naming, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring and use of the medications. Even allergic reactions and idiosyncratic reactions (unpredictable response) to the medicines are included in medication errors. Each country has a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which monitors and reviews medication error reports that come from drug manufacturers and hospitals and follows it up as needed.
What kinds of medication errors are most common ?
In widespread studies, the most common medication errors were due to administration of an improper dose of medicine, accounting for approximately a third of fatal medication errors. Another third of the errors was caused by giving the wrong drug or using the wrong route of administration. Roughly half of the lethal medication errors occurred in older people over the age of 60. This may be attributable to the fact that older people often have to take multiple or a combination of prescription medications.
How can you help prevent medication errors ?
Each of us can do our part to prevent medication errors. When your doctor prescribes you medicines, ask him or her to explain you the name of the medicine, its correct dosage, and to tell you what you are taking the drug for. Be sure you comprehend the instructions to take medications such as correct dosage, storage requirements, what drugs to avoid whilst taking this drug and any other special instructions. Once you are admitted in the hospital, discuss the name and purpose of each drug you are taking. If you can’t, then get a friend or relative to discuss with the doctors. As part of your case history, do not forget to tell your doctors any medical details. These should necessarily include names of all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking, any dietary supplements , and herbal preparations you are taking each and every time he or she writes you a fresh prescription. This definitely helps to avoid any possible, unwanted drug interactions that may occur. Lastly, feel free to discuss your health and drugs with health care professionals and do not shy away from asking questions. If anything about the drug seems different such as the name, or the directions to take the drug, or if the medication itself looks unlike, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
