A report has revealed that a Dilaudid overdose was narrowly avoided when several patients at a Pennsylvania hospital received Dilaudid instead of a weaker painkilling drug. A Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney notes that although none of the patients suffered a Dilaudid overdose or other harmful consequences, this mishap underscores the serious risk of medication errors in inpatient care settings.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Pennsylvania today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Official: No Labels Checked By Staff But Steps Taken To Avoid Future Errors
Medical professionals at Butler Memorial Hospital placed multiple patients in jeopardy in August 2015, by mistakenly giving them Dilaudid instead of another pain-killing medication, according to a recent report from the Pennsylvania Health Department. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Dilaudid is seven times more potent than the medication the patients were supposed to receive and that the hospital staff members incorrectly administered 18 doses of Dilaudid over a one-week period.
The initial mix-up occurred when one staff member mistakenly placed pre-filled syringes of Dilaudid in a dispenser containing syringes of morphine sulfate. The improper administration of the drug might have been avoided if other staff members had checked the labels on each syringe before giving patients the injection. Fortunately, no patients suffered a Dilaudid overdose or other injuries in this case, and the hospital has taken steps to prevent similar mistakes in the future. However, experts note that some healthcare professionals don’t understand the difference between the two drugs, and as a result, these potentially dangerous mix-ups are not uncommon, the website reported.
Affected Patients May Be Entitled to Compensation
Patients who have been injured due to the fault of a healthcare provider may be entitled to compensation. Damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
If a patient dies as a result of a healthcare provider’s mistake, family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims. These kinds of damages can include:
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Medical expenses attributable to the injury
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
If you or a loved one was injured due to the fault of a healthcare provider, you are encouraged to speak with a medical malpractice lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Pennsylvania. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
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