You trust your physician and pharmacist to ensure you receive the right medication to help support your overall health. That said, health care professionals are human, which means they can make mistakes, no matter how much experience they have. Included in the personal injury sector of law is medical malpractice, and prescription errors are a type of malpractice. Learn how you can avoid becoming a victim of this type of malpractice and personal injury by doing your part to sidestep a prescription error.
Ask Questions
One of the best things you can do to better ensure you receive the right medication is to ask the right questions. For instance, ask about the brand name of your prescription as well as its generic name. You should also gain clarity on what the medicine is supposed to do, as well as how long it takes to take effect. Also, ask about side effects and if there are any foods, beverages, or activities you should avoid while taking the medication. Once you have these answers from your doctor, ask them of your pharmacist to make sure everything lines up.
Communicate With Your Doctor & Pharmacist
Be open and honest with your doctor and pharmacist. If there’s a step in taking your prescription you don’t understand or forgot, ask them. Your medication likely comes with instructions, but they could be confusing. If you feel the medicine isn’t working, or if it’s working in a way you didn’t expect, let your doctor know immediately. Waiting too late could result in the need for you to reach out to a Personal Injury Lawyer.
There’s no doubt your physician and pharmacist have to adhere to a standard of patient care. That said, you have to realize this is your body and health on the line. You have a stake and responsibility here, too. If something feels off, speak up before it’s too late.
Educate Yourself on Common Mistakes
Before you take your medication, go over with your pharmacist about how to take it. What you assume to be eye drops may actually be ear drops. On a related note, ask about chewing or cutting pills. This is because there are some pills that have to be swallowed whole for them to be properly absorbed by your body. Another mistake some patients make is using spoons at home to measure their dosage. An oral syringe or dose cup is better to ensure you’re getting the proper amount of your medication and to avoid an error.
Let Your Doctor and Pharmacist Know About Your Allergies and Other Medications
If you have recently stopped taking a prescription, have started taking supplements, or if you have any allergies, share these details with your physician and pharmacist. This information is vital to ensure you do not take a medication that could prove dangerous. Something as seemingly harmless as a vitamin or sleeping aid could alter how your medication works. Leave nothing to chance.
Should you ever suspect you could have a medication error case on your hands, sit down and speak with a legal professional. Even if the error seems to be your fault, the incident could have been prevented by a healthcare professional.
