Nurses at an Alexandria nursing home misread a prescription and administered doses of potassium chloride 10 times stronger than prescribed. Darlene Felt was given The error points to a much larger problem that has plagued the health care industry for years: bad penmanship. According to the National Academies of Science’s Institute of Medicine medication errors lead to approximately 7,000 deaths per year. The official investigation characterized the denoted dose as “a scribble.”
The doctor whose handwriting is in question isn’t unique. According to the pharmacist who filled the prescription said this handwriting isn’t any worse than the average doctor’s. Advocates have been pushing electronic prescription systems for years, as they could potentially save thousands of lives. Many doctors and hospitals do use these systems but the technology hasn’t reached nursing homes yet.
It’s time for reform in elder care, no more medication errors. If you believe that a loved one has been harmed by a medical treatment error, take action now and contact the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm online or call us toll free at (877) 552 2873 to set up a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
