{"id":28025,"date":"2021-05-02T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-02T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=28025"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:58:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:58:59","slug":"medication-errors-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/medication-errors-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Medication errors statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a medication error is any preventable mistake that can lead to the inappropriate use of a medication or cause harm to a patient. Medication errors typically occur while the medication is still under the control of a healthcare provider, patient, or caregiver. Medication errors are a type of medical error that refers to a preventable mistake that occurs during the delivery of medical care and can result in patient harm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Medication errors can happen at any point in the medication use process, whether it\u2019s during prescribing, dispensing, administering, or monitoring. Medication errors can involve prescribers, nurses, pharmacists, or even patients themselves. While not intentional, medication errors can have serious consequences, from mild side effects to life-threatening complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we explore key statistics on medication errors, look at how and when they happen, and outline steps on how to prevent them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are medication errors?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A medication error is a mistake at any point in the process of prescribing, dispensing, or taking medication that can lead to improper medication use and potentially cause harm. Types<\/span> of medication errors<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Prescribing errors:<\/b> Prescribing the wrong medication or dose<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Omission errors:<\/b> Failing to prescribe, administer, or dispense a medication that the patient needs<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Wrong time:<\/b> Someone receiving or taking a medication too late or too early<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Unauthorized medication:<\/b> A patient receiving a drug not meant for them<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Improper dose: <\/b>Taking the wrong amount of the intended medication<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Wrong dose prescription or preparation:<\/b> Receiving the wrong dose or form of medication<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Administration errors: <\/b>For example, incorrect route of administration, administering the drug to the wrong patient, extra dose, or wrong rate<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Monitoring errors: <\/b>Failing to consider a patient\u2019s liver and kidney function, failing to document allergies or potential for drug interactions<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Compliance errors: <\/b>Not following rules and standards established for dispensing and prescribing a medication<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How common are medication errors?<\/span><\/h2>\n