Medication errors are the second most frequent and the second most expensive event causing liability claims. Erroneous orders on the inpatient unit and incorrect prescriptions in the emergency department and clinics are common.
Incredibly, many patients and families are not informed when an error occurs. For a variety of reasons, medical staff often fail to disclose their mistakes.
Errors involving medications have been reported in 4% to 17% of all US hospital admissions. Children are at particular risk of medication errors, in part because drug dosages depend on the size of a growing child and prescribing involves calculations.