Medication Errors Happen Because of Complexities!

In the busy, daunting, and complex world knownThe sad and unfortunate truth is that each of
as today's United States Healthcare system, thethese events compound and increase the
simple fact is healthcare providers do not haveincidence of medication errors within this sector.
the time in a patient visit to physically review allThe good news, however, is that those within the
of a patients medications or call the pharmacysector are aware of medication errors taking
each time to see which prescriptions have beenplace. Organizations such as the Institute of
picked up. In addition, in the case of the elderly,Medicine (IOM) are monitoring and educating of
keeping track of a patients medication profilethe dangers of medication errors. The FDA is
becomes increasingly difficult due to the fact theylaunching new programs such as the Safe Use
may be on several different medications at oneInitiative program to collaborate and educate
time. Furthermore, with less time, morehealthcare providers and the community about
medications prescribed, and more administrativethe dangers of medication errors. Finally, health
work with healthcare insurance companies, it is noreform is calling for greater expansion of
wonder the Food Drug and Administration (FDA)electronic health records, and offering incentives
reports "adverse events from drug use result into healthcare providers who convert to electronic
more than 4 million visits to emergencymedical records.
departments, doctors' offices or other outpatientThe system may be complex, daunting, and
settings annually and 117,000 hospitalizations eachoverwhelming, but your office does not have to
year."be. Medication errors can be prevented as easily
In today's world of Health Maintenanceas reviewing yor patients medication history on a
Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Providerdurable wallet card, or asking licensed and board
Organizations (PPOs), Private-Fee-For-Servicecertified clinical pharmacists medication related
(PFFS), Point of Service (POS), Original Medicare,questions. Organizations such as the Institute of
Medicare Advantage, State Medicaid plans, orMedicine, Food and Drugs Administration, and
Private Medicaid plans and the list only continue!NCapsul, Inc continue to work with the
The simple fact is it is impossible to think acommunity, Assisted Living Facilities (ALF),
healthcare provider can keep track of a patientsdoctors, caregivers, nurses and private institutions
profile when they are changing from insurance toon preventing medication errors which injure at
insurance, doctor to doctor, and being prescribedleast 1.5 millon people each year.
from one medication to medication.