We came across a recent “Question and Answer” section of a paper called People’s Pharmacy. Though it is not from one of our local papers, one of the questions posed to the columnists has us thinking about medication errors.
Here is how the question started: “I had a prescription for levothyroxine filled in February and just now noticed that it was for 25 micrograms. It should have been for 75 micrograms.”
It turns out the pharmacy made the dispensing mistake. They admitted the error. The person who experienced the mistake said that their hair turned brittle began to fall out. Their skin began thinning and they had muscle and weight loss. They wanted to know if they had any recourse against the pharmacy.
They were experiencing hypothyroidism, a serious condition that can be life-threatening. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we know that medication errors can have damaging consequences. In the case above, the person was getting back on track after the mistake was discovered. If you need a Philadelphia medication error attorney, you can count on us to be by your side.
It is no longer a secret that many of the estimated 250,000 medical mistake deaths are related to mistakes made with patient medication. In the story above, the patient was harmed due to the mistake of a pharmacist. Many people do not think of being harmed by the mistakes of a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician, but they are subject to errors just like any other healthcare professional.
Patients inside the hospital are also at risk of becoming victims of medication errors. This can happen if:
Doctors and nurses have cited problems in written communication, supplies and storage of medicines, having an overworked staff, and interruptions while administering medications.
Doctors must also obtain a full patient medical history, including what medications they are on, before prescribing new medications. If they fail to do this, they could end up ordering a medication that interacts negatively with something the patient is already taking.
We want to note that in-home healthcare nurses must also be aware of their patients’ medication requirements and ensure they note and adverse reactions. Often, in-home nurses are the sole person who administers medications to a person.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a medication error, whether inside of a healthcare facility or as a result of a pharmacist’s mistake, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, you can count on us to be by your side, working to secure the compensation you need. This can include any medical expenses that arise as well as pain and suffering damages. When you need a medical error attorney in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
