Technology is everywhere -- even in our doctor's offices. So it begs the question, why do some doctor's continue to use written prescriptions instead of electronic e-prescriptions? A recent study proves that doctors who prescribe this way are less likely to have medication errors. Today, most medical records and prescription ordering is done via a computer, but there are still instances where doctor's write out their prescriptions and this is where medication errors can occur and lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.
Researchers develop safety standards for drug trials
Some people are involved in drug trials to determine if a drug would be effective to the wider population and at the same time lessen symptoms they may be having. But a team from the Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center in North Carolina recently discovered how these drugs used in drug trials could lead to medication errors. The team took a broad look at the protocols for drug trials and came up with strategies to reduce the errors and increase patient safety.
The researchers from the VA were specifically looking for ways to reduce medication errors. What they found is that drug name, drug name changes, labeling and using dangerous abbreviations lead to medication errors. When a drug is going through a clinical trial it may change names over time, but there were instances were people on drug trials using different named drugs, ended up taking the exact same drug, but with a different name.
Study proves that pessary device can prevent pre-term labor
A new study published in The Lancet has found that using pessaries for the purpose of preventing premature babies, is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce blindness, retardation, lung problems or cerebral palsy. The reduction in birth injuries could also save health insurance costs over a life time.
The study found that women who were at a high risk of premature birth could be fitted with a pessary. A pessary is a small silicon collar placed around the neck of the cervix and has been shown to delay birth until the newborn had a greater chance of survival. The pessary is affordable at $50 each and is not difficult to produce or place in a patient.
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New drug brings hope for babies diagnosed with cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that causes problems with movement, balance and posture. It is typically caused by an injury to the brain while in the womb, a birth injury during delivery or an injury sustained within the first years of life. This disorder has no cure and affects a person for their entire life.
A recent study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine is giving hope to those that have the disorder. A new drug has been created that targets specific cells in the brain and has been tested successfully on animals. The findings point to a window of time for treatment that if given the drug early enough, it could reduce some of the life-long symptoms of the disorder.
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Your heart attack could be misdiagnosed
Some of us can imagine what it would feel like to have a heart attack. We've all heard about the warning signs and symptoms that can occur, but until you actually experience a heart attack, you are never sure. Recently, many physicians are coming across people who are experiencing some of the tell-tale symptoms, but aren't actually having a heart attack, but something that doctors have labeled as "broken heart syndrome." Doctors are coming across more patients that have this syndrome and as patients we need to make sure that we are being diagnosed properly.
New research shows longer hospital stays benefit patients
A new research study indicates that patients who stay in the hospital longer after a surgery or illness have a less likelihood of being readmitted to the hospital. Researchers attribute this to the extra care during those additional days and this could help reduce hospital negligence. The study bucks the trend in today's hospitals that try and limit patient stays for cost reasons and for the possibility of patients getting infections.
Some feel that the long stays outweigh the risk of infection. According to the study by the Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure, for every extra day that an acute heart patient stayed in the hospital, there was a significant drop of readmission. The average length of stay was 6.1 days and the 30-day readmission rate was 17.8 percent.
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Widow suing for wrongful death of husband
Being pulled over for speeding is never good, but being pulled over and driving without a license and being an illegal immigrant is usually worse. For one man, his traffic stop led to his arrest and subsequent death, and now his family is suing for wrongful death and seeking $1 million in damages.
The incident occurred in 2009 when the man was arrested in North Carolina for driving without a license and speeding. Upon his arrest he was transferred to federal immigration authorities. While in custody, the man died from myocarditis -- or inflammation of the heart muscle. The man's widow is suing the government for failure to provide proper medical treatment as well as not meeting the standard of care for a detainee.
Judge upholds jury's verdict on wrongful death by Taser
A Chief District Judge for the Federal District Court for Western North Carolina upheld a jury's verdict that the use of a Taser by police caused the death of a teenager by stopping his heart. It is believed to be the first ever case in which a Taser has been found to be the primary cause of death.
Prior to last summer's jury verdict, The Taser, a registered trademarked brand, was considered a non-lethal weapon; however this ruling sets the precedent that the use of a Taser can stop the heart. The jury found that the Taser product, used as directed, caused the wrongful death of the teen.
Should doctors take on the roll of pharmacist too?
In our world today, convenience is king. We have cellphones so that anyone can get a hold of us at any time and the computer connects us with family and friends all over the world. So with convenience a high priority for most people, is having your doctor prescribe and give you your medication at their office something that people would want?
At one time or another, many of us have received a sample of medication from our doctor's office in order to try a new medication or to tie us over until we could get to our pharmacy. Currently, there is a trend that is happening where doctors are dispensing medications directly to their patient rather than sending them to their pharmacy. Those opposed to this type of dispensing fear that more medication errors will occur and possibly harm a patient.
Tips for avoiding medication errors
Last week was National Patient Safety Awareness Week, but it doesn't mean that we all can't learn about medication safety and reducing medication errors at any time. Mission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, participated in the campaign and feels that patients need to take an active role in their health and question things that they don't understand. This knowledge about their own health may help prevent medication errors.
According to a medication safety nurse at Mission Health, she feels that patients who understand their treatments and medications have better outcomes and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
