The improper prescription of medication is the single most common procedural error in the practice of medicine. Unfortunately, it is difficult to pinpoint just how common these errors are because study findings vary drastically. An estimated 30,000 to 180,000 lives are lost each year as a result of medication errors , and 1.5 to 4 billion dollars is spent annually as a result of medication errors. Because prescription medication errors and drug therapy management errors are common, professional liability claims involving medication errors are also common. Yet, claims still occur as a result of errors that have relatively minor consequences.
Some medication errors do cause permanent injury and even death.
When this occurs, indemnity payments generally tend to be much higher. While all classes of patients deserve diligent prescribing attention, pediatric, geriatric and pregnant patients require the physician to exercise particular caution when administering or prescribing medications. The dosage of any newly prescribed or administered drug for these patients should initially be at the lowest effective level until the physician is able to determine its effect on the patient and adjust the dosage appropriately. Pediatric Patients Physicians prescribing for children must consider many variables, particularly age and weight, before writing a prescription for a child. Many medications perfectly safe for adults may be contraindicated for children.