Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Medical errors rate among the top causes of death in the United States each year. Among the main contributors to this category are prescription errors and other medication errors. While the exact number of pharmacy errors is not known due to lax reporting requirements, it is estimated that there are approximately 7 million errors per year. Of course, not all of these errors will result in harm to a patient, but the error-rate still presents major concerns. If you are concerned that a medication error may have caused your injury, reach out to a Maryland pharmacy error attorney.
For years, researchers have been looking at how the increasing number of pharmacy errors can be reduced. Many studies consider the increased use of technology a step in the right direction, due to the fact that humans are error-prone. According to a recent study, older people – especially those in hospitals – are the most likely to be the victim of a pharmacy error.
According to the report detailing the results of the study, the study looked at medication errors occurring between 2007 and 2016. The researchers reported over 517,000 errors in the two areas they studied, with almost 230 of these errors resulting in a patient’s death. Approximately half of the victims of pharmacy errors were over the age of 75. In addition, about 66% of the errors occurred in the hospital setting. This may be attributed to the fact that there is often a sense of urgency in hospitals that is not present in retail pharmacies.
The study found that the drugs most commonly involved in an error were cardiovascular drugs, drugs impacting the central nervous system, and medications designed to treat infections. Errors of omission were the most common type of mistake, with errors involving the wrong drug or wrong dose following closely behind.
What to Do After a Maryland Pharmacy Error
The thought of picking up a prescription bottle and realizing that the medication in the bottle was not what the physician prescribed is almost unimaginable. However, this happens to millions of Americans each year. In some cases, adverse symptoms can occur immediately; however, it is also common that symptoms do not initially appear. That does not mean that damage has not been done. Anyone who has been provided the wrong medication should immediately contact a dedicated pharmacy error attorney to discuss their situation. A dedicated pharmacy error attorney can help put victims in touch with nationally renowned experts to determine what, if any, damage has been done.
Have You Been Given the Wrong Medication?
If you or someone you care for has recently taken medication that was given in error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Maryland pharmacy error lawsuit. At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, our experienced pharmacy error attorneys assist patients file claims arising from all types of medication errors, including those made in hospitals and Maryland nursing homes. To learn more, and to schedule your free consultation, call 410-654-3600 today.
More Blog Posts:
Court Rejects Defendant’s Claim that Plaintiff’s Case Was Filed Too Late, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, November 30, 2018.
New Technology Aims to Address the Danger of Prescription Errors in Maryland and throughout the United States, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, November 15, 2018.