Articles and News

Be Advised: Mediation Errors on the Rise in Children

By: Elizabeth Wilson

Per a recent Associated Press article, the April issue of Pediatrics medical journal released a new study which will document research performed by the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality. Per this group, it is believed that one out of every fifteen children hospitalized in the United States today is a victim of receiving the wrong prescription or too much of it, or of being prescribed an additional medication which may have a harmful reaction with an already dispensed drug the child is taking.

Researchers who participated in the study believe that medication errors are under-reported by hospitals. They reviewed hospital medical charts from twelve random hospitals across the country and studied 960 children’s charts. The authors of the study found disturbing similarities in the randomly pulled charts which lead them to suspicions of medication errors.

The researchers discovered from their chart reviews that most medication errors resulted from giving too much pain medication, like Morphine. Reviews of the charts showed that dispensing Naloxone, which is the antidote to Morphine, is a red flag that too much pain killer was given. The study also documented the giving of the antidote Vitamin K following dispensing Coumadin, a blood thinner.

Remember that it is important to know exactly what type of medication your child takes and in what quantity. It is a good idea to write down this information and keep it in your wallet so that you can report it to any caregivers at the doctor’s office, pharmacy, or hospital. This will help to prevent drug reactions. Always ask each physician or nurse exactly what they are prescribing your child and why.

If your child has had a reaction to any drug, be sure to have this information on hand so that you can pass it along to medical staff and to caregivers at your child’s school or church. It is difficult to remember the name of a medication when in a stressful situation, so writing it down and keeping it in your wallet may help save your child’s life.

We recommend to our clients that they keep an on-going journal or notebook of their children’s healthcare and prescriptions over the years. If any health situation becomes an emergent issue, then you will have all medical information together. The law firm of Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey is available to assist you or your family with any legal issues.

Elizabeth Wilson is a senior paralegal with the firm in Charlotte. Three of the firm’s attorneys are Lincoln County residents. Please visit the firm’s website at www.KnoxLawCenter.com or www.KnoxBrothertonKnoxGodfrey.com to review additional articles published by the attorneys and staff.