Over half of patients involved in opioid-related malpractice claims had serious injuries

A new report that looked at opioid-related malpractice claims to identify warning signs and risk factors finds that over half of the patients involved in these claims had a serious injury or died. Here’s more: 

• The report: Coverys, a company that provides liability insurance for medical professionals, compiled the report based on five years of previously undisclosed malpractice claims that include 165 different events involving opioids. 
• The findings: The opioid drugs most often involved in these events were fentanyl, Dilaudid, and Percocet. The drugs were often prescribed to patients who were already taking other medications, including anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants. 
• Prescription process: Some 40% of the claims cited errors when patients were initially screened for and prescribed medications. About a third of the claims cited errors when patients were monitored as they were managing their pain.