FDA Warns of Recent Catastrophic Drug Errors

As science and medicine advances, new drugs and medications are developed every day to improve lives. AIDs drugs have come a long way since the 80s, allowing patients to live longer than they ever thought possible. Arthritis medications aim to help sufferers do more day-to-day activities that were near impossible twenty years ago. Even surgery has improved due to better anesthesia medications and blood-clotting drugs.

However, the FDA is warning medical professionals that a dangerous mix-up of local anesthetic drugs and tranexamic acid is causing catastrophic injuries in unsuspecting patients.

The nationally recognized trial attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson have successfully handled injuries due to medical errors for decades. When other firms turn down cases due to the lack of resources, people turn to Colson Hicks Eidson. Our award-winning law firm has the resources, attention to detail, and dedication you need to recover the damages you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence, you need the best medical malpractice law firm in Miami, Florida.

FDA Alerts Medical Professionals about Tranexamic Acid Mix-Ups

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is putting the healthcare community on alert after three patients recently received tranexamic acid instead of a local anesthetic. The anesthetic, bupivacaine, is injected into the spine for knee and hip surgeries. However, three cases have come to light recently where patients suffered injuries. All three patients experienced seizures and extreme pain. One patient suffered to the point she was placed in an induced coma for several days.

When patients are given tranexamic acid through the spine, the effects are catastrophic.

• 50% of patients die
• Those that survive often experience paraplegia, seizures, and permanent neurological injuries

The FDA stresses that the drugs resemble one another. Both are stored in vials with blue caps. If they are stored in close proximity, human error increases. FDA is encouraging the medical community too;

• Store tranexamic acid away from other drugs in similar vials
• Add auxiliary warning labels
• Utilize barcode scanning when available
• Check the container label before administering

The FDA is also encouraging medical personal to report any adverse events, errors, and quality problems.

Medication Errors Costs Thousands of Lives Each Year

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that nearly 700,000 people visit the emergency room each year due to drug-related reactions. Another 100,000 people are hospitalized. Medication errors occur in different ways. Sometimes a patient is given the wrong pill, or a patient may be prescribed a medication that interacts poorly with another drug. Sometimes a medication error can occur when the drug is administered the wrong way. A wrong-route error occurs when a drug is administered the wrong way. For example, tranexamic acid can be taken orally, topically, or even intravenously, but never injected directly into the spine. This is called a wrong-route error. According to the data;

• Children under five and the elderly are at higher risk to experience an erroneous wrong-route error
• Nurses are usually the ones to administer drugs in an inpatient setting

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a wrong-route error, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the highly sought attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson today.

Miami’s Colson Hicks Eidson is Here for Your Medical Negligence Needs

Colson Hicks Eidson is Florida’s leading litigation firm. Their attorneys are nationally recognized for their work on behalf of personal injury victims. When you need a medical malpractice attorney in Miami, Florida, you need Colson Hicks Eidson. Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.