U.S. Pharmacopeia released a report last year analyzing medical records from 1998-2005/ The report found that patients who undergo surgery have the highest risk of a medication mistake. The report found over 11,000 medical errors before surgery. Most of these errors - 95% of the medication errors, according to the study - were harmless. But many of the remaining errors caused serious injury.
Notably, children suffered the highest risk of a medication error with injury. Nearly 12% medication mistakes in kids cause injury.
Most of the reported errors involved the use of antibiotics and pain medications. The most commonly reported medication mistakes involved giving the wrong amount of medication, giving the medication at the wrong time, omitting a dose of medication, or administration of the medication incorrectly.
Notably, children suffered the highest risk of a medication error with injury. Nearly 12% medication mistakes in kids cause injury.
Most of the reported errors involved the use of antibiotics and pain medications. The most commonly reported medication mistakes involved giving the wrong amount of medication, giving the medication at the wrong time, omitting a dose of medication, or administration of the medication incorrectly.
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