Medication errors happen to millions of American’s each year. While most medications have a high margin of safety, there are certain medications, called high-alert medications, which have a heightened risk of causing significant harm to patients when errors are made. Although mistakes may not necessarily be more common with these medications, the consequences of mistakes in regard to these medications can be much more serious than others.
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices or the ISMP groups these high-alert medications together and encourages those distributing or those taking these medications to use special caution and special considerations when packaging, distributing and administering these drugs. Classes of medications which are considered high-alert include:
- adrenergic agonists, IV including epinephrine
- adrenergic antagonists, IV including metoprolol
- anesthetic agents, general, inhaled and IV including ketamine
- antiarrhythmics, IV including lidocaine
- antithrombotic agents including anticoagulants, glycoprotein
- cardioplegic solutions
- chemotherapeutic agents
- dextrose, hypertonic, 20% or greater
- dialysis solutions
- epidural or intrathecal medications
- oral hypoglycemic
- inotropic medications, IV
- insulin
- liposomal forms of drugs
- moderate sedation agents, IV including midazolam
- moderate sedation agents, oral, for children including chloral hydrate
- narcotics/opioids
- neuromuscular blocking agents
- parenteral nutrition preparations
- radiocontrast agents, IV
- sterile water for injection, inhalation, and irrigation
- sodium chloride for injection, hypertonic, greater than 0.9% concentration
Medication Errors Attorneys Marquette MI
APKH&C are medication errors attorneys in Michigan. If you live in Marquette and are facing an issue regarding medication errors, APKH&C can help you. If you need a medication error attorney in Marquette, call us toll free at 1.877.732.2491. APKH&C have years of experience in Michigan medication law and are accepting new clients. Contact us by phone or fill out our free consultation form below.