Avoidable deaths resulting from medication dispensing errors?
Published - 28/09/2023
Medication errors have long been a concern in healthcare systems worldwide, posing a significant threat to patient safety. Among these errors, medication dispensing errors hold a prominent position due to their potential to result in avoidable deaths. This article aims to explore the impact of common medication dispensing errors on patient safety, focusing specifically on the United Kingdom. It will delve into the number of yearly deaths resulting from medication errors in the UK, why medication errors are the leading cause of death, the consequences of pharmacy dispensing errors, and the process of claiming on behalf of a loved one if the medication error breached the law.
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Administration and dispensing errors contribute to the leading cause of death
Pharmacies dispense 3 million drugs daily with a 3% error rate. From 100,000 daily errors, many deaths occur.
A prescription error breaches patient safety and can cause severe, preventable harm
If a drug error directly causes death, you may be able to sue the healthcare provider responsible.
How many yearly deaths result from medication errors in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, medication errors contribute to a concerning number of deaths each year. However, it is challenging to determine the exact number. There are an estimated 237 million medication-related problems annually. Among these problems, 5-8% (or 11.85 million cases) are harmful, resulting in significant patient harm or even death. Studies estimate that medication errors lead or contribute to between 1,700 and 22,300 wrongful deaths every year.
Although this number is significant, most medication errors occur within hospitals (medication administration), not at a hospital or community pharmacy. Pharmacy-related deaths might comprise less than ¼ of the total medication-related deaths.
Why are medication errors the leading cause of death?
Medication errors have gained the notorious reputation of being the leading cause of medical negligence-related death due to their widespread occurrence and potential for severe harm. Each day, a vast number of medications are dispensed and administered in the UK. Roughly 2.7 million items are dispensed from pharmacies daily, and as many as 89,640 are mistakes.
The sheer volume of daily medication prescription collections is why these high numbers of adverse drug events occur. However, factors such as illegible prescriptions, inadequate communication between healthcare professionals, and system failures contribute to a heightened incidence of medication errors.
UK pharmacies play a crucial role in medication dispensing; unfortunately, errors can occur within this system. The rate of dispensing errors from UK pharmacies is estimated to be approximately 1-3%. Furthermore, hospitals, as another key healthcare setting, are not immune to medication errors. Drug administration errors in hospitals vary, but studies have reported rates ranging from 3-8%. These figures highlight the prevalence of medication errors and their potential to cause harm or even death.
How can a pharmacy dispensing error result in death?
A pharmacy dispensing error can have severe consequences, potentially leading to severe patient harm or death. A patient receiving the wrong medication, dose or instructions can result in adverse drug events, drug interactions, or an allergic reaction. Moreover, electronic prescriptions and dispensing can leave patients without any medication.
For example, a patient presenting with a chest infection gets an electronic prescription for antibiotics. The medicine never gets delivered, and the patient passes away in the hospital from sepsis.
Here is another example from the NHS Improvement FOI request. A patient was prescribed Flucloxacillin (belonging to the group of penicillin medications) despite her discharge letter clearly stating an allergy to penicillin. The patient was partially sighted, so they may not have identified the mistake. This type of dispensary mistake can result in severe harm or even death.
To mitigate these risks, healthcare systems employ various reporting mechanisms to prevent medication errors. Pharmacists report medication errors through detailed incident reporting systems, where healthcare professionals document and analyse errors. These reports help identify recurring patterns and inform strategies to prevent future mistakes. Additionally, measures such as barcode scanning, electronic prescribing systems, and improved communication between healthcare professionals can help prevent medication errors.
How can you claim on behalf of a loved one?
Generally, close family members such as spouses, children, or parents can claim on behalf of a deceased loved one. With medical negligence cases, you have three years from the negligent event or the discovery of negligence to start a clinical negligence claim. Patients who have suffered a brain injury due to a medication error may have longer to make a claim.
In the devastating event that a loved one passes away due to a medication dispensing error, it may be possible to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim. Making a claim requires gathering evidence to support the case. You need to prove that the medication error directly caused the patient’s death or that it was the result of medical negligence.
This evidence may include medical records, prescriptions, witness statements, and expert opinions. Try to give as much detail to healthcare professionals and solicitors; this will help your case. Proving that the medication error caused avoidable death is crucial for a successful claim.
Seeking legal advice from a professional experienced in medical malpractice or personal injury law is advisable to navigate the complex process and ensure the best possible outcome. Wake Smith has a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors to help you build your case. We’ll gather all the necessary information and liaise with the relevant authorities on your behalf.
Wake Smith offers free consultation, and with our no-win, no-fee approach, you may have nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.
Sources
- 237+ million medication errors made every year in England
- More than 1,700 deaths due to ‘avoidable’ medication errors in England each year
- NHS medication errors contribute to as many as 22,000 deaths a year, major report shows
- Improving medication error incident reporting and learning
- NHS Improvement - Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “FOI Act”)