Medical mistakes can have devastating effects on the health of a child. These errors are preventable, and many are the result of communication breakdowns or inadequate skill. Sadly, pediatric patients are especially vulnerable to these errors. In fact, some studies indicate that children suffer from medical errors at a higher rate than adults under certain circumstances. Moreover, pediatric medication errors are among the most common mistakes that can cause harm to a child. If your child was harmed as the result of medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Santa Fe medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you determine your options.
The medical community operates under the principle that “do no harm.” However, many errors go undetected or are not adequately addressed when they do occur. Pediatric Error Advocate is particularly susceptible to errors due to age-related changes in anatomy, physiology and behavior as well as complex health conditions. In addition, children are more likely to be treated with investigational drugs that have not been sufficiently tested for safety in this population. This increases the potential for error and makes the need for patient advocacy even more critical.
A recent study found that children with life-limiting conditions are at increased risk for adverse drug events, including medication errors. These errors are often the result of care fragmentation, medication complexity and high technology dependency. Children with medical complexity are frequently treated across multiple settings and practitioners, increasing the likelihood of medication errors as a result of poor communication.
Medication errors in children most commonly involve administration of medications or inappropriate doses. One of the most common errors involves acetaminophen, which is prescribed to children and given orally or rectally. In many cases, these errors lead to serious injury or death.
Pediatric medication mistakes are preventable. Physicians must follow standard of care, use current guidelines and ensure that their staff has adequate training in child-specific pharmacology. In addition, parents and other family members can play an important role in preventing these errors. In particular, they can ask their doctors to communicate clearly with them and be sure that the doctor is aware of any medication or supplement the child is taking.
If you suspect your child was injured as the result of a medication error or any other type of medical negligence, contact us today to schedule an evaluation with a Slate Stern Law Group attorney. We can review the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury and explain your options for seeking compensation. We represent families throughout New Mexico and the southwest. Our offices are conveniently located in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces. We also offer phone and Skype consultations for clients who cannot travel to our office. We do not charge a fee unless we win compensation for you. We look forward to hearing from you. Please fill out our confidential online form to request your free case evaluation today.