When we go to the hospital or to our doctor, we do so because there is something wrong with us and we need them to fix it. Most of the time, they do. We are usually happy to get our prescriptions, head to the pharmacy, and get home.

We just know that the medications we have been given will make us all better.

Unfortunately, that is not always what happens. Sometimes, medical professionals make mistakes and we end up taking something that causes us even more harm.

If you need a Drexel Hill medication error attorney, you can count on The Weitz Firm, LLC to be by your side. We want to make sure you are compensated for your injuries.

Did you know that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US, causing an over 250,000 deaths a year? Imagine how many injuries there are due to medication errors. Many of these mistakes revolve around medication errors, both in the hospital and at home.

In Hospitals

Medication errors harm an estimated 1.5 million people each year. In the hospital setting, medication errors lengthen hospital stays, increase patient expenses, and lead to more than 7,000 deaths annually. Some of the main problems revolve around the following kinds of medications:

  • Insulin
  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
  • Opioids
  • Sedatives

There is a three-tiered process for medication dispensing in the hospital: a practitioner orders a medication, the pharmacist fills it, and a nurse gives it to the patient. While a pharmacist can catch a practitioner’s mistake and a nurse can catch a pharmacist’s mistake, who is there to catch a nurse’s mistake?

Doctors and nurses have also cited problems with medication supply, stress and fatigue of healthcare professionals, interruptions while dispensing medications, and inadequate communication as factors for why medication errors occur in the hospital.

At Home

Upon discharge from the hospital, studies show that up to 30 percent of patients have at least one medication discrepancy.

Doctors need to be fully aware of a patient’s medical history as well as medications they are currently taking. If they do not get this information, they could end up prescribing medications that interact negatively with something a patient is already taking.

They also need to make sure they inform patients of the correct dosage as well as the risks of all medications prescribed.

The bottom line is that medical professionals need to be careful when prescribing and giving medications to patients.

Moving On From Here

If you believe the negligence of a medical professional as caused you harm when it comes to your medications, you should seek legal assistance. We know how devastating these injuries can be. You did not expect something that a doctor prescribed to cause you harm.

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will investigate your case and work to ensure that you are taken care of. We want to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We are here when you need a medical malpractice lawyer in Drexel Hill. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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