Medication Errors

More than a quarter of a million people die every year in the United States due to medication mistakes.

  • Ten percent of all deaths in the United States are due to medication errors. 
  • Medication errors are the third highest cause of death in the United States.  

Despite these frightening statistics, researchers believe that medication errors are underreported in the United States.

WHAT IS A MEDICATION ERROR?

  • Failing to give the patient their medication
  • Failing to give the patient their medication often enough
  • Failing to give the proper dosage of medication
  • Failing to give medication properly (ill, liquid, IV, Muscularly)
  • Giving the wrong medication
  • Giving a medication the patient is allergic to
  • Giving the medication at the wrong time

WHY DO MEDICATION ERRORS HAPPEN?

  • A doctor mistakenly prescribes the wrong medication
  • A doctor mistakenly prescribes the wrong dosage
  • A nurse mistakenly gives the wrong medication
  • A nurse mistakenly gives the wrong dosage
  • The pharmacy mistakenly gives the wrong medication
  • Poor Communication between providers
  • Poor training
  • Not enough staff
  • Abuse 
  • Poor record keeping as to what medication was prescribed, when it was given, why it was given and how it was given 
  • Theft of prescription drugs by the caregiver due to a drug addiction or to sell for profit

INJURIES CAUSED BY MEDICATION ERRORS

  • Death
  • Heart Attack
  • Blood Clots
  • Stroke
  • Untreated Illness
  • Unnecessary Pain and Suffering
  • Worsening of many types of Infections
  • Loss of a Chance of a Cure