Medication Mistakes Can Be Fatal; Here's How To Prevent Them

Drug errors and interactions can be fatal. Here’s the story of Alice Brennan, a vibrant 88-year-old woman who loved to dance and joke with friends. After she sought treatment for severe neck pain at the emergency room, the doctor prescribed Flexeril. However, this act would later prove more dangerous than Alice’s family could imagine.

Later, her neurologist advised that Flexeril was not an appropriate drug for her age and condition. He told Alice to discontinue using it immediately. After a bout with gout, Alice went to a rehabilitation facility, where she was mistakenly given Flexeril again. Six weeks later, Alice was found dead. The cause? Medication error.

Alice’s tragic story underlines the gravity of safe medication management for caregivers, patients and hospital staff. So, how can caregivers learn how to protect their loved ones from deadly medication errors? First, caregivers must ensure that their loved one takes the correct prescription (or Rx) at the right time, with the proper dosage, and with the correct medication administration method. If you have questions about drug errors or interactions, contact your loved one’s physician or pharmacist right away.

Read on to learn more vital tips on managing medications in the home, hospital and physician's office.

General Medication Tips

• Double- or triple-check that you have the correct dose prepared.
• Read the pharmacy label and check the expiration date on the bottle.
• Record the medications given and note any reactions or problems encountered.
• If you observe any adverse reactions, inform your health care provider immediately.
• Ask a pharmacist or doctor about possible interactions with other medicines.

At the Doctor’s Office

• Bring a copy of your loved one's medication list on every visit.
• If the doctor prescribes a new drug, ask if it will interfere with any medications your loved one is using.
• Ask the drug name, how to fill it, and how often to take it.
• Ask the doctor to write the purpose of the med on the Rx. Noting the purpose will help the pharmacist double-check the prescription.
• Encourage the doctor to institute electronic prescribing to enhance patient safety.

In the Home

• Make a list of all your loved one's medications, including dosage and the prescribing physician's name.
• Any time your loved one's medication changes, change your list.
• Keep all medications in their original containers.
• Don't chew, crush, or break capsules or tablets unless advised. You may make the medication unsafe or ineffective.

At the Hospital

• Take your loved one's medication list with you.
• Ask the physician for the names of new medications and why they are prescribed.
• Before your loved one takes meds, look at the drug. If the meds appear different from their usual Rx, question why.
• Ask the hospital staff to check your loved one's hospital identification bracelet before administering meds to prevent errors.
• Before leaving the hospital, have a staff member review each medication with you. Find out what condition it treats and whether to take it in addition to current meds or in place of them. Ask about possible side effects or interactions.

Helpful Resources

Medications can get complicated, and even a small mistake can lead to serious consequences. At Lean on Dee Senior Home Care, the staff knows that your loved one’s welfare is of utmost importance to you. Lean On Dee offers medication setup services to ensure stress-free and safe medication management. The trained staff helps you keep medications organized and up to date and ensure compliance with your doctor’s orders. Call 410-449-4538 to book an appointment today.

For questions about drug information or interactions, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s drug information pharmacists by phone at 1-855-543-3784.

Call America’s poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.