In the past ten years, a total of 454 patients, and their families, have been paid over 200 million in damages due to medication errors while in care.
‘In 15% of cases, the consequences were so severe that the patient died’, said Norwegian Indemnity (pasientskadeerstatning – NPE).
‘In many cases, medication errors have serious consequences for patients. To prevent them would save individuals from unnecessary suffering, and society at large the burden of financial costs’, said Ida Bukholm, manager for patient safety and statistics at NPE.
Three types of medicine account for 60% of cases. These are cited as blood-thinning medications, antibiotics, or drugs that act on the nervous system.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
