No one likes to be spoken to rudely. It’s unpleasant and unnerving. Although rudeness can hurt our feelings, in medical settings, rudeness can be quite dangerous. In fact, rudeness can cause staff to make mistakes that can lead to patient harm, even death. So what is the possible impact of rudeness in medicine on you […]
Medical Errors
Mistakes at the Pharmacy
The pharmacy I use, part of a huge national chain, is busy. Actually, busy is an understatement. Several times I’ve waited on hold on the phone, listening to annoying music, for over an hour. And every time I go there, I grumble to myself, and to anyone nearby willing to listen, that they need more […]
Reduce Your Risk of Medication Errors
Medications can make you feel better and can save your life. However, medications can also make you sicker – particularly if you take the wrong medication or take a medication differently than your doctor prescribed. Medication errors occur in hospitals, care facilities and at home. Learning how to reduce your risk of medication errors can […]
Medical Errors in Outpatient Settings
There’s been quite a bit in the news lately about medical errors in hospitals. And hospitals are making concerted efforts to reduce errors (although there is still much room for improvement). But you don’t often hear about the dangers patients face in doctor offices, urgent care centers, day surgical centers and even their homes. Do […]
One Patient’s Tale of Medication Errors in Long-Term Care
I often cite research regarding the frequency and severity of medication errors. The Institute of Medicine estimates the average patient in hospitals and long-term care facilities experiences at least one medication error each day! The report also states there are 1.5 million preventable adverse drug interactions each year in US hospitals and long-term care facilities. […]
