Medication Errors

A doctor who is licensed to practice medicine in Illinois and Iowa has recently been accused of professional incompetence and misconduct. According to the Chicago Tribune, an Illinois patient reported that the doctor had forced her to perform a sex act. The doctor, who used to work in Joliet, is also accused of performing medical […]
Medication Errors

Several hospitals in the Midwest are testing new methods that would prevent repeat visits by elderly patients and other vulnerable patients. These measures could reduce the number of hospital negligence claims by protecting patients from common medical problems that may arise after they are discharged from a hospital visit. These methods include the use of […]
Medication Errors

As the case count of recent meningitis deaths continues to rise throughout the nation, more patients in Illinois and throughout the U.S. are raising questions about the regulatory processes that failed to protect them from this devastating infection. This blog has already discussed the fungal contamination leading to illness from medication errors, but many questions […]
Medication Errors

Illinois residents who have received steroid injections over the past few months should be aware of the recent outbreak of fungal meningitis in people being treated with methylprednisolone acetate. Fungal meningitis is rare, but it can lead to life-threatening complications. The outbreak has been linked to shipments of contaminated steroid injections that came from a […]
Medication Errors

In December 2009, a 22-month-old boy died from complications after a dental procedure. When the dental procedure was performed, everything seemed to be going well. But hours after the child was sent home, he suddenly stopped breathing. The child was put on life support, but when two weeks passed without any brain activity, the child […]
Medication Errors

Joliet patients often trust that their doctors know what they are doing when prescribing a medication. But based on the results of a new study that was published last month, patients in Illinois should be more skeptical when their doctors prescribe drugs. After analyzing nearly 20 different studies that had collected data on prescription drug […]
Medication Errors

Many Chicago patients benefit from prescription medications. Some need to take medications on a daily basis to control their blood pressure or diabetes. Other people might use prescription drugs only when they can no longer bear dealing with allergies or a minor illness. Whether one’s symptoms are life-threatening or minor, doctors must always take caution […]
Medication Errors

Codeine, one of the most potent relievers for post-operative pain, is being investigated for safety concerns, particularly when treating children. The investigation was prompted after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received at least three reports involving children who have lost their lives after suffering complications from codeine when it was used to relieve pain […]
Medication Errors

Last month on our Joliet medical malpractice law blog, we had mentioned that prescription painkiller overdose deaths remain a huge concern in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that one type of painkiller, methadone, is the cause of about 30 percent of all fatal pain-reliever overdoses. Although patients are certainly […]
Medication Errors

Mental illness affects millions of people throughout the entire U.S. Some Joliet residents might suffer from depression that is easily managed with medication. Other folks might need more intense treatment in order to help them cope with their mental health issues. Whether a patient’s illness is mild or severe, all patients deserve to be seen […]
Medication Errors

Earlier this week on our Chicago medical malpractice law blog, we mentioned that a group representing more than 370,000 doctors from nine different medical societies recently suggested that too many U.S. patients are at risk of suffering health problems and financial consequences from overmedication and overtreatment errors. The group of medical professionals — which includes […]
Medication Errors

How many times have you questioned your doctor about a medication you were prescribed to take? Have you ever questioned your physician or a loved one’s doctor about a diagnosis or recommended treatment? Medical experts and patient safety advocates believe that those who ask questions in Chicago doctors’ offices and hospital rooms may not only […]
Medication Errors

Doctors are obligated to provide quality patient care, including proper recommendations for prescription medications and dosages. Illinois residents rely on health care professionals to preventmedication errors, such as prescribing the wrong drug or dose of a drug, that could harm or kill patients. It is also part of a physician’s duty to caution patients about […]
Medication Errors

Chicago doctors prescribe drugs to patients after evaluating the need for the medication. Physicians know a patient’s health history and can explain to patients any adverse reactions a new drug might have. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would like to relax some restrictions on certain prescription drugs in order to give consumers easier […]
Medication Errors

Chicago readers are probably aware of the kind of confusion that can be caused by simple miscommunication. But when miscommunication results in a medication error that causes a patient to become sick, it isn’t a simple error. That’s why it’s important for readers to be aware that you have rights. If you or someone you […]
Medication Errors

This week, a Chicago man filed a lawsuit claiming that he suffered health complications while he was an inmate at an Illinois jail because the facility had refused to give him his HIV medications for an entire week. Fortunately, most patients in Illinois do not have to worry about their doctors refusing to write a […]
Medication Errors

There are a lot of factors that could make a hospital unsafe. Still, we turn to hospitals to provide care when we are sick, not to cause injury. We may assume that hospitals in Illinois and across the U.S. are always striving to improve their level of care. But are they? A new Hospital Safety […]
Medication Errors

A large percentage of Illinois medical malpractice cases are a result of medication errors. Medications prescribed in hospitals, doctor’s clinics and nursing homes can cause a great deal of harm to a patient if they are given the wrong medication or wrong dosage. Policymakers are working to curb the amount of injuries caused by medication […]
Medication Errors

As folks age, many might assume that they will eventually need to start taking medications on a daily basis in order to maintain their health. Chicago patients might be prescribed blood-pressure medications or other types of drugs to keep their conditions from worsening. With so many Americans taking prescription drugs on a daily basis, it […]
Medication Errors

In Illinois, not all medical professionals can operate X-ray equipment or other types of equipment involving the use of radiation. Under state laws, only those who are properly licensed including dentists, chiropractors, and certified radiologic technologists can safely use and operate radiologic equipment. These laws are meant to protect patients in the Chicago area and […]
Medication Errors