Medical Malpractice on Children - Drug Errors
Medical malpractice involving innocent children is always disturbing. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that one out of every fifteen hospitalized children is injured by drug mix ups, accidental overdoses and bad reactions. As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers we are troubled by these statistics. Indeed, such medical carelessness translates to more than 500,000 children who may suffer serious injury each year. The study used a new method of detection which involved 15 triggers such as rashes, nausea, and the administration of vitamin K, to flag and investigate potential errors.
Many will remember the plight of the newborn twins of actor Dennis Quaid who nearly died from an accidental overdose of the blood thinner, heparin. When the twins began bleeding out their nose, they were administered vitamin K, which later triggered an investigation revealing that more than 1000 times the prescribed dose of heparin had been given. Although the babies are both doing fine now, they were frighteningly close to becoming two more in the list of tens of thousands who die every year from preventable medical errors. The Quaids sought legal relief against Baxter Healthcare and started a foundation whose mission is to eliminate the impact of human error on patient care.
So what should parents do to protect their children? We agree with Dennis Quad who advises, that every time a caregiver comes into your child’s room-ask what medication they’re giving and why. Many medical errors can be prevented if simple common sense practices are followed. Unfortunately, parents can not rely on hospitals to always do what is in their child’s best interests.
