Huge drop in medication errors could be due to QR codes 

Medication errors are a huge problem in our nation and most of the time they are completely preventable. In most cases, medication errors can be avoided if more attention is paid by those responsible for filling prescriptions and those who administer the drugs.  

Adverse drug reactions from mixing a cocktail of drugs, incorrect dosages and prescribing wrong medications to patients are three of the most common sources of errors in hospitals and pharmacies. 

These errors have often been linked to: 

• Misinterpreting physician’s handwriting for prescriptions; 

• Incorrect transcribing of prescription dosages; 
• Failure to catch dangerous drug interactions; 

Iowa Hospitals using QR codes to reduce medication errors 

Several Iowa Hospitals, including St. Luke's, are implementing high-tech systems in order to try and decrease the rate of errors. KCRG-TV9 reports. They are on their way towards eliminating handwritten written medical notes, too, which is a big step in eliminating errors in patient care.   

It is expected that the outcome of this technology will bring down pharmacy errors by between 60 and 80 percent. 

A pharmacist systems analyst has said this kind of technology can prevent 60 and 80 percent of all errors. One scan of a new wristband system can go to great lengths to ensure the health and safety of a patient and hopefully this technology can spread throughout the country. 

If you or a family member have been the victim of a prescription error or medication error then you may be able to bring a claim against the responsible party. Such an error could not only be life threatening but the damage done may last the rest of your life. It is your legal right to compensation for injuries caused by a negligent party. 

If you have any questions, contact our office today at 1-713-766-9104 for a free consultation. You can also order our free book to learn more about pharmacy errors.