When patients in New York place their trust in doctors and pharmacists, they expect accuracy and care. Yet, mistakes still happen. The question many ask is: What are the three common causes of medication errors? Simply put, the most common problems in New York and elsewhere involve the wrong drug or dosage being given, missteps in communication, such as unclear instructions or misread prescriptions, and errors in how or when a medication is administered. Many of these issues stem from human oversight, disorganized systems like poorly arranged storage, or failing to check for interactions and allergies.
These mistakes can have serious consequences, and when they rise to the level of negligence, they may become the basis of a medical malpractice claim. At the Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, our team has seen the harm these errors cause across New York communities.
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What Are The Three Common Causes of Medication Errors in New York?
According to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, a medication error can happen whenever a preventable mistake leads to the wrong use of a drug or causes harm while the medication is under the care of a doctor, patient, or consumer. In New York, these errors are often preventable and frequently tied to negligence
1. Dispensing or Prescribing Errors
The most common dispensing and prescribing errors fall into three categories: wrong drug, wrong dose, or wrong form:
- When a patient is given a completely different drug than intended.
- When the amount prescribed or dispensed is either too high or too low.
- When the correct drug is provided, but in the wrong form.
As noted by the National Library of Medicine, medication errors are among the most common and preventable causes of patient harm.
2. Communication Failures
Medication safety often depends on clear communication, which sets the stage for avoiding common errors. For those still wondering: what are the three common causes of medication errors? Miscommunication ranks high on the list. Examples include:
- A doctor’s handwriting may be unclear, or pharmacists may misread drug abbreviations.
- Lack of clear exchanges between physicians, nurses, and pharmacists can lead to mistakes.
- Failing to explain how to take medication, including timing, dosage, and possible side effects, can cause patients to misuse it.
These issues highlight how vital it is to ensure patients and providers are on the same page, and why miscommunication often leads to preventable malpractice cases.
3. Administration Errors
Even when a prescription is correct, mistakes can happen at the point of delivery. Common examples include:
- Administering medication through the wrong method, such as giving an oral drug intravenously.
- Failing to follow the prescribed schedule, such as skipping or doubling doses.
- Giving the medication to the wrong patient altogether.
Each of these errors can result in severe, sometimes life-threatening outcomes.
Other factors include distraction, lack of training, poor storage, look-alike packaging, or failing to check for drug interactions or allergies. Together, these issues make serious medication errors more likely.
Other Causes of Medication Errors
Diagnostic Errors
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can result in incorrect treatment or the absence of timely care, leading to severe outcomes.
Surgical Errors
Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside a patient, remain among the most alarming forms of malpractice.
Anesthesia Errors
Administering too much or too little anesthesia, or failing to monitor a patient during surgery, can create life-threatening complications.
Errors During Labor and Delivery
Mistakes during childbirth, including improper use of forceps or failing to respond to signs of fetal distress, may lead to injuries to both mother and child.
Filing Claims for Damages Caused by Medical Errors in New York
Victims of medical errors in New York may be entitled to file malpractice claims to recover damages. This may include compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Time limits apply to these cases, and in some situations, exceptions may extend the filing deadline. Because every case depends on its facts, speaking with legal counsel early can make a meaningful difference.
Contact a Long Island Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
Medical errors change lives, and knowing what are the three common causes of medication errors helps patients understand when negligence may have occurred. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys guide clients through the process of holding negligent providers accountable. We provide support, clarity, and strong advocacy for families. To learn more about your legal options and to protect your rights, contact us today at 516-358-6900 for a free consultation.
Richard S. Jaffe | Partner
After pioneering a string of personal injury cases on Long Island and in the New York City metropolitan area involving lead paint poisoning of infants, Richard’s reputation would be well known enough as a fierce trial attorney and litigator. Richard has managed to secure several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements throughout his 30-plus years of experience, which has earned him membership in many prestigious circles, such as the nation’s Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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