BigTrancer
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From The Age:
Drug mix-ups kill 2,000 a year
MELBOURNE|Published: Friday August 30, 8:05 AM
Confusion with prescription drugs is responsible for the deaths of more than 2,000 Australians every year, more than motor vehicle accidents, according to a group which tracks medical errors.
The heavy medical toll was revealed by the Australian Patient Safety Foundation in a report in today's Herald Sun newspaper.
Foundation president, Professor Bill Runciman, said at least 2,000 people died every year from medication errors, although the true figure could be as high as 5,000 deaths.
Last year 1,750 Australians died in motor vehicle crashes.
His revelations come as Victoria's health watchdog found in a report that dangerously careless drug dispensing practices could be widespread across the state's hospitals...
Full article at: http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2002/08/30/FFX5UGEZG5D.html
From The Herald-Sun:
Medicine mix-ups kill 2000 people
By NICK PAPPS
30aug02
MIX-UPS with medicines are killing more than 2000 Australians every year. Illegible prescriptions, poor drug packaging and mistakes with drugs cause more deaths each year than car crashes.
One of Australia's leading health experts said medication errors may be killing up to 5000 Australians every year.
A Herald Sun investigation has also revealed:
VICTORIA'S doctors deal with an estimated 100,000 adverse drug reactions and errors every year.
ONE Victorian pharmacist has been linked to two deaths after mixing up prescriptions.
THE state's health watchdog wants tighter drug controls and a computerised prescribing system for hospitals.
VICTORIAN hospitals will be required to detail medical errors in a national database.
Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson said drug safety standards had dropped in Melbourne hospitals and they needed to reduce medication mistakes.
"They need to do much more," she said.
"I'm having a drop in standards reported to me. We need to act on it." ...
Full article at: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,4998198%255E661,00.html
Might be looking down the barrel of a whole new system of pharmacy/prescription cross-checks?
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