Medication Errors

Prescribing medication is a very important part of healthcare, and it involves careful consideration of several factors to ensure patient safety and optimal treatment outcomes.  

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Many different healthcare professionals are responsible for prescribing medication, including doctors, nurse practitioners, and surgeons. Medication is prescribed based on the healthcare professional’s assessment of the patient's condition, medical history, and individual needs.

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If medication is prescribed incorrectly, it could be negligent if it leads to an injury that should have been avoided.  

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These are some common examples of medical negligence relating to medication errors:

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• Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage for a patient's condition.
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• Giving medication via the wrong route (e.g., intravenous instead of oral).
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• Failing to consider how a medication might interact with other drugs the person is taking.
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• Failing to monitor a patient's response to a medication or to adjust the dosage as necessary.
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• Incorrectly documenting medication administration or patient information, leading to errors in treatment, such as an overdose or a patient being given medication they are allergic to.
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• Providing medications with inaccurate labelling or instructions.

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