6 Ways To Avoid A Medication Error In A Hospital

Medication errors are incredibly serious and can cause significant, permanent injury to a patient, including death. Whether you are in a hospital setting or administering your own prescription, make sure you practice the six rights of medication.

1. Right patient. Make sure if medication is being administered, it is going to the correct person.
2. Right route. Some medications have multiple ways they can be delivered (pill, IV, etc.) and these different methods are meant to work in specific ways.
3. Right drug. Certain medications sound and often look like other medications. Verifying is not a nuisance, it is safe.
4. Right dose. Too much or too little of a prescribed medication can have an unintended effect. Make sure you are getting the dose prescribed by your doctor.
5. Right time. Certain medications have timed dosing. If you are prescribed one of these, make sure that the schedule is being followed.
6. Right documentation. Make sure dosages and administration are written in your medical records. 

If you or your loved one experienced a significant injury in a healthcare setting and you question the level of care you received, contact our firm immediately. Our Connecticut medical malpractice team will begin a legal and medical investigation.