Did you know that medication errors are one of the leading causes of preventable harm in healthcare? In fact, a study by the Institute of Medicine found that as many as 98,000 people die every year from medical errors. Medication errors can occur throughout medication use, from prescribing and dispensing to administration and monitoring. For instance, if we need over the counter ADHD medication, errors may occur as the doctor puts the wrong dosage or even the wrong kinds of medicine, leading to unrelated side effects. But what are those errors? While there are many different medication errors, here are four of the most common.

Prescribing

Let’s start with how the process begins: prescribing. A medication error can occur when the doctor prescribes a medication that is contraindicated with another medication the patient is taking, does not consider potential allergies or drug interactions, or fails to monitor for adverse effects. According to a study, more than 1 in 25 prescriptions are not filled as intended by the prescribing doctor. Though many things can go wrong in this process, the most common type of prescribing error is when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication or dosage.

Omission

The next type of medication error you need to be more aware of is omission. Omission errors occur when a patient fails to take their prescribed medications as ordered by the doctor or when a healthcare provider fails to prescribe the appropriate medication or dose. This can be especially dangerous for patients taking multiple medications, as leaving out one of them can have serious repercussions for their health. Sometimes, this is due to poor patient compliance, but it can also be due to inadequate communication between the healthcare provider and the patient.

Improper Time

We all know that timing is everything, and this is especially true when it comes to administering medications. Improper time errors occur when medications are not given at the right time or in the right order. For instance, if a medication should be administered before a meal but instead is given after, it will affect how the body absorbs and processes the drug. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the timing of medications and to communicate this clearly with patients.

Unauthorized Drugs

Did you know that a study revealed that in the US alone, over 3 million people are taking medications that were not prescribed for them? This is known as an unauthorized drug error and can occur when a patient takes medication that their healthcare provider did not prescribe or if they take a medication beyond its expiration date. Unauthorized drugs can cause dangerous side effects, so it is not a bad idea to always take the proper medication and dosage as prescribed by your doctor.

So how do you prevent medication errors? First, communicate clearly with your doctor and other healthcare providers about all of the medications you are taking. Next, ensure you understand the instructions for your medication and when it should be taken. Finally, if you have any questions or concerns about your medications, don’t hesitate to ask. Medication errors can be costly and dangerous, but with proper education and communication, we can help reduce the number of medication-related mistakes.…