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Types of Errors

Dangerous and Defective Drugs If you put your trust in a pharmaceutical company and were hurt by their product, you deserve compensation for your suffering.
Wrong Medication Did you receive the wrong medication or incorrect prescription from a pharmacy? If you have suffered because of a medication error please call us for a free case review.
Wrong Dosage Common forms of medication error: incorrect dosage error. Order our free book to learn how to protect yourself and your family from wrong dosage errors.
Other Errors Order our free book, "How to Make Pharmacies Pay for your Injuries Caused by Medication Errors, to learn your rights in prescription error cases.
Kids Rx Errors Order a free copy of The Top 10 Tips to Protect Your Children Against Pharmacy Errors. If you have suffered a prescription error contact our firm today.
Pharmacy Malpractice If you have suffered an injury because a pharmacy dispensed the wrong medication or made an error with your prescription, you are able to file a claim for negligence or malpractice and receive the compensation you deserve.
Walgreens Pharmacy Error Claims There have been numerous claims brought against Walgreens for pharmacy errors or prescription errors. Order our free book to learn how to take action.
CVS Pharmacy Error Claims If you've been injured because of a CVS Pharmacy prescription error, call us for help with your lawsuit at 888-526-7616.
State Pharmacy Boards If you have been severely injured because of a medication error, contact board-certified attorneys immediately to investigate your case free of charge.
Drug & Pharmacy Error Prevention Filing a pharmacy error lawsuit is the only way to make pharmacies take accountability for mistakes. Call our board certified attorneys for a free case review.
State Pharmacy Laws State laws on pharmacy malpractice. Learn the pharmacy error Statute of Limitation laws that apply to your state. Call 877-342-2020 for a free consultation.

What Are Some of the Common Causes of Pharmaceutical Malpractice in Hospitals?

David W. Hodges
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Partner at Kennedy Hodges LLP practicing pharmacy error, medical malpractice and personal injury law

Medication errors can occur anywhere from your local pharmacy to a compounding pharmacy or even at a hospital pharmacy. When medication mistakes cause harm, a pharmacy malpractice case can be pursued. While most people consider pharmacy malpractice to be something directed at negligent pharmacists at chain stores, or their local pharmacy, hospital pharmacists can also make crucial pharmacy errors that result in patient harm or death.

Most hospital pharmacy errors can occur in a number of ways: miscommunication between doctor and pharmacy, and labeling and packaging inconsistencies, among the following:

  • Miscommunication between prescribing physician and pharmacy.
  • Labeling and packaging inconsistencies at the pharmacy.
  • Product changes are not always communicated to pharmacy staff.
  • Buyers do not always inform all pharmacy supervisors when alternate products are purchased.
  • Pharmacists tend to focus on the ingredient name and volume, but not on the concentration.
  • Pharmacists do not assume that they would make mistakes.
  • Standardized processes are not always in place.

Communication issues and lapses continue to be a major factor in pharmacy malpractice cases. For example, Dr. Michael R. Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD, the president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) said,

“Communication always turns out to be a major issue when the ISMP conducts consultations. Everything from the way orders are communicated by computers, the way drugs are listed on a screen, look-alike drug names, handwriting problems, abbreviations, verbal orders, telephone orders, the way we speak with one another—all that falls under communication.”

Unfortunately, all humans will make mistakes; however, medication safety hinges on doctors, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacist being accurate. When people in these positions do not communicate accurately with each other, or fail to follow protocol with every step in the dispensing process, pharmacy malpractice may be the result. In order to correct pharmacy errors, doctors need to check patients’ medical records to verify allergies or that the new prescription will not interfere with the medication they are currently taking. Additionally, pharmacists need to check the prescription to see if it makes sense for a patient’s age, be aware of dose warnings, read medication labels, and triple check a pharmacy technician’s work.

If you have been a victim of a medication mistake due to a negligent pharmacist, you may have rights to a financial recovery. Call Kennedy Hodges at 888-526-7616 to speak with a skilled pharmacy malpractice attorney in a no-cost consultation. Also, request a free copy of our report, How to Make Pharmacies Pay for Your Injuries Caused by Medication Errors.

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