According to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University, surgical “never events,” the term used to describe occurrences that should never occur, such as operations on an incorrect body part or performing the incorrect procedure, are happening at a rate of at least 4,000 times per year. The study revealed…
A Seattle woman suffering from multiple sclerosis, who also recently underwent hip surgery, went to her local pharmacy to have her prescriptions filled. When the woman went to take her pills, she noticed that something was a bit off. She knew that thecapsule was supposed to be white and green…
A nationwide shortage of a wide range of medications, including anesthetics and cancer-treatment drugs, has impacted the level of care at a Maryland hospital, according to a report in the Frederick News-Post. The shortage is affecting patient care all over the country, leading to greater risks for cancer patients, trauma…
A study published last year examined the rate at which doctors prescribe antipsychotic medications for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD or ADD. The researchers found a significant increase in the rate of prescriptions in recent years, and psychiatrists may now prescribe antipsychotics for children…
A recent study examined the impact of injectable medication errors in hospitals, noting the impact of such errors on both patient health and hospital finances. Costs associated with adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with injectable medications can exceed $5 billion per year, the study found, and can affect over 1…
There are approximately 1.3 million people in the United States injured by medication errors every year. Since 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) have received more than 95,000 reports of medication errors. These reports are voluntary, however, and it is believed that the rate of error is actually…
Courts in two recent cases affirmed denials of unemployment benefits to healthcare workers, finding that their terminations resulted from employment misconduct. Both workers lost their jobs because of medication errors. In Steffey v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, a Pennsylvania court ruled that a nurse intentionally failed to follow protocols…
A pharmacy resisted a subpoena from Illinois regulators seeking information on medication errors, citing a federal law that encourages pharmacies to track medication errors, but protects the confidentiality of those records. The trial court agreed with the pharmacy’s position in Department of Financial and Professional Regulation v. Walgreen Company, 970…
A significant percentage of Americans have “health literacy” ranked as “basic” or “below basic,” according to a study conducted by the federal government. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) defines “health literacy” as the ability to read, comprehend, and make use of everyday written medical or other health information.…