Medication Errors

    /24-7PressRelease/ - August 16, 2008 - "Doctor, it hurts when I do this." "Well, here's a prescription for it. Take two and call me in the morning."

Of course, this doesn't happen every time you visit your doctor. But it seems like doctors are prescribing pills to cure everything these days without even considering holistic solutions. People want a quick fix to alleviate their ailments so they can get back to work, family, travel, and their life in general.

But, taking a pill to cure every little thing can have just the opposite effect. In some cases, that effect can be devastating. With more than 2.5 billion prescriptions being dispensed every year by pharmacies and another 3.75 drugs used in hospitals, it is bound to happen that someone is given the wrong medication or the wrong dose or the wrong combination of drugs.

Situations like that can be considered medication malpractice. With all those pills and prescriptions and medical practitioners prescribing them, the most common medication error is, not surprisingly, prescribing the wrong dosage. Other medication errors include:

• Misunderstanding of medical orders, such as not sticking to a doctor-ordered salt-free diet
• Using the wrong blood type for the patient
• Using IV's with faulty valves, which allow too much or too little medication to be delivered
• Misreading or misunderstanding test results

Prescribing doctors aren't the only ones responsible for medication errors, though. Nurses, pharmacists, hospital physicians - any medical professional connected with a patient can make a mistake in interpreting test results or diagnosing medical conditions. Unfortunately, it is fairly easy for those types of errors to happen if you, as a medical professional, aren't paying close enough attention.

Medication errors are preventable but, since we're only human, these kinds of mistake will happen. If they happen to you or a loved one, it isn't necessarily appropriate to just let it go unchallenged. Instead, find an experienced medical malpractice attorney to help you figure out what to do next. Based on the damage done by the error in medications, you may have ongoing medical bills to consider. Rehabilitation and long-term care may also be required. You don't want to agree to a settlement that doesn't provide for your needs in full.

The next time you have ache or pain, don't just rush to the doctor. Consider alternative therapies instead of asking for a pill. Maybe a vacation in the south of France would help you rest, relax and recuperate. Maybe a simple trip to the spa for a massage and facial would do the trick.

If you do go to the doctor, talk to him doctor first and be sure you both understand your past and current health status. Be aware of all the possible side effects of every medication being prescribed and be sure you understand how they interact with each other.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or died as a result of medical errors in Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven or the surrounding area, please visit Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC today.

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