If you’ve been a victim of a medication error in a hospital, we’ve got good news: the FDA is implementing an error-proof system that’s as easy as the wave of a wand. 
In late 2002, the FDA proposed that hospital nurses use a simple barcode scanning system to ensure that the Five Rights are followed: the right drug, in the right dose, by the right route, is given to the right patient at the right time. 
Here’s how it works: all patients receive a bar-coded ID wristband when they are admitted to the hospital.  Before nurses may administer medications, they must scan both the patient's wristband and the medication label.  Information will be transmitted to a laptop computer using unique identifying information, confirming—or prohibiting—dosage. 
"Before giving medications, nurses use the scanner to pull up a patient's full name and social security number on the laptops, along with the medications," said Lottie Lockett, R.N., an administrator at the Houston VA Medical Center. "If there is not a match, a warning box pops up on the screen." 
The barcode rule took effect April 26, 2004 and applies to both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.  All drug manufacturers must provide a barcode label with complete prescribing information, and if drugs are repackaged, the barcode must be reapplied as well. 
To get legal advice on your prescription error case, call a board-certified pharmacy error lawyer at Kennedy Hodges today at 888-526-7616.