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Study Shows Patients Unaware of Medications Prescribed During Hospital Visit

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, one in every five medication doses involved some degree of error. 

The researchers conducted the study to assess patient awareness of their in-hospital medications.  Inpatient medication errors represent an important patient safety issue.

The study involved 50 participants between the ages of 21 and 89 who knew their outpatient medications, and were from the community around the hospital. 

The researchers found that 44% of the patients believed they were receiving a medication they were not, and 96% were unable to recall the name of at least one medication that they had been prescribed during hospitalization.  Further, patients younger than 65 were unable to name 60% of medications which they could take as needed, whereas patients older than 65 were unable to name 88% of these medications.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of a medication error during a hospital visit, you should contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.