Thousands of children suffer prescription errors every year, many of which go undetected until the child has suffered severe side effects or until the adult notices the mistake on the prescription label.
But the Joint Commission thinks that these errors may be caught earlier by teaching children to take charge of their own heath care.
The Joint Commission has created a new pediatric section of their award-winning Speak Up program, which offers posters and handouts on patient safety. The program advises children to be involved and informed about their own health care with an easy-to-remember mnemonic:
Speak up if you have questions, and ask until you get an answer.

Pay attention to what happens in the doctor’s office.
Educate yourself about what’s happening to you.

Ask an adult or family member to ask questions and explain things to you.

Know what medicines you take and why you take them. 

Use a good hospital with doctors you trust. Ask your parents why they picked where you go.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment.
The Speak Up program was created in 2002 and now has 17 different brochures printed in both English and Spanish.  Their hope is that by raising awareness, illness and side effects can be avoided even when pharmacists make mistakes.  For more patient information, parents can order a copy of our FREE book, “How to Make Pharmacies Pay For Injuries Caused by Medication Errors.” 
If one of your children was injured by a medication mistake, get free consultation with a board-certified medication error lawyer by calling Kennedy Hodges today at 888-526-7616.