Medication Mistake Deaths Spike in July Due to New Medical Residences: Study
A new report suggests that patients treated at teaching hospitals may face an increased risk of being the victim of medical malpractice during the month of July, possibly due to the influx of new medical residents each year who may make prescription errors or mistakes.
According to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers from University of California, San Diego who found that teaching hospitals saw a 10% jump in medication errors that resulted in death during the month of July.
The increase only appeared at teaching hospitals and the findings back up prior studies that have correlated an increased risk of medical malpractice with teaching hospitals as they take on new medical residents.
Researchers examined nearly 250,000 death certificates where the cause of death was listed as fatal medication error between 1979 and 2006.
Comparing the number of medication mistake deaths that occur during the month of July with the rest of a given year, there was a spike among counties with teaching hospitals, concluding that the number of medication errors was 10% higher in July in these counties than would be otherwise expected.
Nearly 100,000 people die each year in the United States due to medical mistakes, and more than 14% of all hospital patients will be the victim of an injury due to a mistake by doctors or hospital staff. In many cases, these errors are preventable.
According to conclusions drawn by the authors of this new study:
- Re-Evaluating Responsibilities Assigned to New Residents;
- Increasing Supervision of New Residents;
- Increasing Education Concerned with Medication Safety
Incorporating these changes might reduce both fatal and non-fatal medication errors and thereby reduce the substantial costs associated with these errors.”
MEDICATION ERROR LAWSUITS
The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential claims for injuries caused when a hospital, doctor or nurse prescribe or fill the wrong drugs, causing a serious or potentially fatal injury.
All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless a recovery is obtained.
If you, a friend or family member has suffered injury or death due to a medication mistake, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
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