New Jersey Patients Seek to Avoid Medication Errors

The transition of medical records from paper files to electronic databases is well underway. Transmitting prescription requests electronically, for example, can help get beyond the old problem of deciphering a doctor's often illegible writing.

But more still needs to be done to avoid medication errors that can occur when a doctor prescribes drugs.

In one case that was reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer and other news outlets, a pregnant woman named Mareena Silva who needed an antibiotic to fight an infection was instead given a cell-fighting drug that was intended for a cancer patient. It is unclear from news reports how seriously this may have affected the fetus. But clearly giving anti-cell growth medication is a recipe for trouble when given to a pregnant woman because it can lead to birth defects and increase the risk of a miscarriage.

The cell-fighting drug was intended for a woman with a similar name, Maria Silva.

A case like this shows that pharmacists and others who fulfill prescriptions need to do a better job of verifying the identity of people who are picking up prescribed medication. Basic information like address and date of birth should be used as a precaution. This step should apply both to people who pick up their own prescriptions and to those who do it on others' behalf.

If there is any confusion or doubt on the part of the pharmacist, additional information can be used. This could include telephone numbers or driver's license numbers. Even if the prescription is being dispensed at a drive-thru, it's important to spend enough time to get it right.

Source: "How to prevent yourself from accidentally getting someone else's prescription at the pharmacy," Philly.com, 10-3-11