Medication errors represent one of the most commonplace types of medical negligence in New Mexico and across the United States. As a consequences, they form the foundation for a considerable number of medical malpractice cases throughout the country every year.
Rate of medication errors in the United States
A study that was conducted in 2017revealed that an astounding 1.5 million medication errors occur in the U.S. annually. That breaks down to a medication error approximately every 21 seconds, or about 4,300 medication errors each day. The stark reality is medication errors represent one of the most significant patient-related mistakes that occur in hospitals and other medical settings in the country.
Medication errors occur both in an outpatient as well as an inpatient setting. These types of mistakes often are not immediately detected, a reality that aggravates the harm caused to a victim of this type of medical malpractice.
Impact of medication errors
Medication errors result in a patient not receiving the appropriate care and treatment. The net effect can be an aggravation of an existing medical condition or disease or the creation of entirely new health problem. Medication errors can also prove fatal.
Parties that could be held responsible for medication errors
Several health care practitioners and facilities can be deemed liable for injuries, losses and damages arising from medication error. Medical malpractice lawsuits arising from medication errors can sometimes include multiple defendants:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Physicians assistants
- Pharmacists
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
A person who is the victim of a medication error has important legal rights. These rights are best protected with the assistance of an experienced New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer.
