Many people do not know that medication errors have doubled from 2000 to 2012, and today we are going to look into this statistic. The study comes from Clinical Toxicology, July 2017. It discusses that medication errors have doubled between these 12 years. It went from 1.09 errors per 100,000 in 2000 to 2.28 errors per 100,000 in 2012.
According to Clinical Toxicology, 40 percent of medication errors involve the following medications: Heart Medications, Pain Killers, Hormone Therapy, and Insulin
The study also found that a third of medication errors lead to hospitalization.
Some would say that the stats are very low, even at 2.28 people per 100,000, but if it’s you or your loved one that ends up being hospitalized, it can be a very serious situation for you. We ask you to take this into consideration.
Some other advice we recommend is reminding your medical doctors if they are writing you a prescription of the medications you’re currently on to review what medications you’re currently on with the physician before they write them. Talk to them about any supplements or vitamins you are taking as well. Make sure to ask the MD any questions you have about the medication prior to leaving. You can also speak to the pharmacist about specifics on its usage. We recommend you make sure everything is very clear before you start taking it.
This is very important because if you go into a facility such as a walk in clinic, like a chiropractic office, for an exam and they’re checking you out for pain and you fail to go over your entire health history, which should include the medications you’re on, it can end in error. Please remember that current medications, prior history, and current supplements/vitamins should be discussed prior to receiving any prescriptions.
The key is to provide your doctor and pharmacist with as much information as possible of your history. This will help reduce the chances of error.
If you have any questions on our treatment options in Springfield, please contact us, we would be happy to help you and see what we can do for you.
In pain? Want a tune up? Call us today (908) 325 – 3000. We can treat and help you.
