The parents of an infant allege that a California hospital is responsible for injuries that required their child to go on life support. Hospital staff reportedly administered far more than the prescribed dosage of medication while treating the child for meningitis. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals have a…
The family of a young girl recently filed a $750,000 federal lawsuit against her local pharmacy, alleging that the business wrote the incorrect directions on her prescription for a seizure medication, causing the girl to take five times the proper dosage of the drug. According to the lawsuit, the little…
A mother is reportedly suing her longtime pharmacy, claiming that a dosage error led to her daughter’s death. The woman claims that her 6 year old daughter died after taking a dose of morphine 10 times higher than what she was prescribed. The little girl had been taking the liquid…
Of all of the types of pharmacy and medication errors that are made, some of the most frightening to think about are those that occur with children. One recent study (registration required) focused on errors made with pain medicine, specifically opioid infusions in children. The researchers in the study analyzed…
A Rhode Island pharmacist, and former state senator, has had his license revoked from the state earlier this month (registration required), following the accidental administration of morphine to two children who received medicine from the pharmacy where he worked. The Health Director, Michael Fine, ordered the pharmacist’s license to practice…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently updated one of its website pages regarding medication error and consumer awareness. One of the stories included is a cautionary tale for all hospitalized individuals receiving medication intravenously. When a 9 year old girl shattered her elbow on the soccer field, her M.D.…
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…
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency that reviews highway and aviation accidents and makes recommendations for safety regulations, could serve as a model for an entity to monitor patient safety, according to a number of celebrities and other advocates. A medical journal article co-authored by actor Dennis…
A child in Henrico County, Virginia suffered a serious overdose after a mixup of two drugs with similar names caused him to receive a powerful painkiller instead of his intended medication. The child reportedly recovered fully, but required hospitalization and gave his family and doctors quite a scare. Although there…
Two mothers are suing a pharmacy in Gig Harbor, Washington, claiming that their sons received incorrect dosages of prescription seizure medications. In both cases, the parents claim that the dosages dispensed by Olympic Pharmacy were big enough to be almost fatal for the children. The Washington state Board of Pharmacy…