Close Topic Options

Being Given The Wrong Drug

Woman died 24 hours after being given wrong drug

A woman who was admitted to hospital with a stomach complaint died after being given medication intended for another patient.
Ref. https://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_me...ticle345097.ece

Message Edited! JB@Trinidad: title corrected, don't know where 'job' came into that?

Drug Wrong The Being

Shouldn't the title of this be 'Being given the wrong drug?' In any case, I don't believe this is very unusual although I hope it is not common. It mirrors those situations where people have gone to the hospital for surgery on, for example, their legs, and end up being operated on their arms. With respect to administration of drugs, I personally know of a nurse who lost her job (not her license) because she administered an incorrect drug to a patient. The patient luckily, did not die, but did come close to it. One thing to keep in mind is how busy these nurses and doctors become, especially in emergency room situations. I am not saying this should justify carelessness, but sometimes the unique circumstances under which something like this happens, also needs to be investigated.

Being Given The Wrong Drug Health & Special Psychology

That is so tragic, it is bad enough when somebody in hospital dies of an illness that cannot be prevented, but to actually die through the hospital causing your death, by administering the wrong drugs,it is so terrible.
I think it is quite common that drugs get administered one way or another to a patient, but I think you only get to hear about it when the media has taken up the story, or there has been tragic consequences.
Years ago, when I was pregnant, my doctor prescribed me some tablets to take daily in pregnancy. I went and got my prescription done from the pharmacy, and started taking the tablets 1 a day immediately. After only taking the tablets for 3 days, I was feeling really ill, tired, and had no energy. I phoned the pharmacy to check that I had been prescribed the correct tablets, and was informed that there was no way a mistake could have been made, and that my body was just adjusting to them,and to give it another 3 weeks to settle down.After 2 weeks I visited my doctor, taking my tablets with me and expressed my concern on how ill I was feeling.
The Doctor took one look at the tablets and informed me that my pharmacy had indeed made a mistake, and had given me heart tablets that were slowing my heart rate down!
I went immediately to the hospital for a scan, and fortunately my baby was ok, but it just shows you how easy a mistake can happen when drugs and medication are being given out!