The number of serious medication mistakes made at home doubled in just over a decade
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
The number of serious medication mistakes made at home doubled between 2000 and 2012, The Washington Post reports.
From 2000 to 2012, researchers documented calls made to poison control centers throughout the U.S.. They looked specifically at cases reported as medication errors that occurred outside of health-care facilities, and led to serious medical outcomes. During the time of the study, researchers concluded there were more than 67,000 calls. The number of cases yearly doubled from 3,065 in 2000 to 6,855 in 2012.
17% of the patients were admitted to a care unit, and about one-third were treated and immediately released. However, 414 people died over the course of the study from a medication error, according to NPR. Taking the wrong medicine, the wrong dosage, or taking the medication more than once a day were the most common medical mistakes reported.
The most common medications: Cardiovascular drugs, painkillers, and hormonal drugs topped the list associated with medical errors.