Go to navigation Go to content

Types of Errors

Dangerous and Defective Drugs If you put your trust in a pharmaceutical company and were hurt by their product, you deserve compensation for your suffering.
Wrong Medication Did you receive the wrong medication or incorrect prescription from a pharmacy? If you have suffered because of a medication error please call us for a free case review.
Wrong Dosage Common forms of medication error: incorrect dosage error. Order our free book to learn how to protect yourself and your family from wrong dosage errors.
Other Errors Order our free book, "How to Make Pharmacies Pay for your Injuries Caused by Medication Errors, to learn your rights in prescription error cases.
Kids Rx Errors Order a free copy of The Top 10 Tips to Protect Your Children Against Pharmacy Errors. If you have suffered a prescription error contact our firm today.
Pharmacy Malpractice If you have suffered an injury because a pharmacy dispensed the wrong medication or made an error with your prescription, you are able to file a claim for negligence or malpractice and receive the compensation you deserve.
Walgreens Pharmacy Error Claims There have been numerous claims brought against Walgreens for pharmacy errors or prescription errors. Order our free book to learn how to take action.
CVS Pharmacy Error Claims If you've been injured because of a CVS Pharmacy prescription error, call us for help with your lawsuit at 888-526-7616.
State Pharmacy Boards If you have been severely injured because of a medication error, contact board-certified attorneys immediately to investigate your case free of charge.
Drug & Pharmacy Error Prevention Filing a pharmacy error lawsuit is the only way to make pharmacies take accountability for mistakes. Call our board certified attorneys for a free case review.
State Pharmacy Laws State laws on pharmacy malpractice. Learn the pharmacy error Statute of Limitation laws that apply to your state. Call 877-342-2020 for a free consultation.

Why Are Medication Errors Still Happening When Barcode Technology Is Being Used?

David W. Hodges
Connect with me
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Google+
Partner at Kennedy Hodges LLP practicing pharmacy error, medical malpractice and personal injury law
Comments (0)

In this day and age, there are continuous advances in technology that have the ability to reduce medication errors. For example, technology that has the potential to lower drug errors and help keep patients safe and free from harm is known as barcode scanning technology. When hospitals and pharmacies implement this type of scanning technology system, it has shown to improve medication safety.

What Is Barcode Scanning?

When patients pick up their medications at the pharmacy or are given medications at hospitals, barcode technology can reduce medication errors by ensuring the right patient is being given the right medication. Barcode technology is used in compounding pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and even in retail pharmacies to verify that the medication ingredients match the prescription. When the barcode is scanned, it can confirm that the drug amount matches the medication being dispensed or administered.

While barcode technology has its advantages, there are, however, some downfalls of this technology, such as:

  • People aren’t properly trained or fail to use this technology correctly.
  • Pharmacists get interrupted during dispensing.
  • Nurses or other healthcare workers have disruptions during administration.

Although many people feel like this type of technology has improved the safety and efficiency of dispensing and administering medication because it can verify products—mistakes can still occur that cause patients harm. In order to be completely accurate and protect patients from medication mistakes, pharmacists still need to verify they have the correct drug, dosage, container, and label for every patient they hand medication to.

Because medication errors can still occur with the use of technology, it is in your best interest to review your medication thoroughly before taking it. We also encourage you to share this information on Facebook with those you know and love.

Be the first to comment!

Post a Comment

To reply to this message, enter your reply in the box labeled "Message", hit "Post Message."

Name:*

Email:* (will not be published)

Message:*

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.

Tweet