Medication errors are a danger we all face. In fact, over 1.5 million people in the United States are affected by medication errors annually. Of those 1.5 million people, a number of them are expectant mothers.
While medication errors are dangerous for everyone, the stakes become ever higher when dealing a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Doctors need to be especially cautious when prescribing medication to an expectant mother. Medication that may be safe for the mother can be extremely harmful to the fetus.
The following are a few different types of medication mistakes that can affect the health and well-being of both the expectant mother and her unborn child:
- Difficulty Reading Doctor’s Handwriting. Only a small percentage of doctors use computers to prescribe medications, which means the vast majority of doctors hand write their prescriptions. Many tragic medication errors are made because prescriptions are misread. While these mistakes may not be deadly under normal circumstances, babies in the womb are so vulnerable that a simple mistake in medication can cause irreversible harm.
- Common Medications are Dangerous to a Baby. As I mentioned above, many medications that are safe for an adult can be lethal for a fetus. For example, antidepressants, antibiotics, anti-seizure medication, acne medication, and anti-cancer medication can cause serious complications for an unborn child.
- Drugs that “Sound Alike.” Many drugs have very similar names. Whether they are spelled alike or simply sound similar, they can often be mistaken for one another. Confusion in names accounts for a great number of medication errors. Despite having very similar names, the uses and side-effects of these drugs can be incredibly different.
- Anesthesia. When a patient is given Anesthesia, the dosage is calculated very precisely. However, the correct dosage of anesthesia changes significantly when a woman is pregnant. Providing an expectant mother with the wrong dosage of anesthesia can have devastating effects on an unborn child.
If you or someone you love was injured as the result of a medication error, you have to call me right away at 1 (800) 556-4769. I can help you get the answers you need and the compensation you deserve.
As your Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 33 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.
