Medication errors take many forms: the wrong drug prescribed, the right drug at the wrong dose, the failure to identify a contraindication or known interaction, and breakdowns in how medications are administered in hospital settings. The harm can be severe and, in many cases, entirely preventable with appropriate care.
Common scenarios
- Prescribing errors and contraindicated medications
- Dosage errors, particularly in pediatric and geriatric care
- Failure to recognize harmful drug interactions
- Pharmacy dispensing errors
- Hospital administration errors and monitoring failures
These cases turn on the medical record, pharmacy records, and the standard of care for the prescribing or administering provider. Expert testimony from physicians and pharmacists is typically required.