A new study analyzing hospital prescriptions shows startling and potentially deadly trends.

• On average, a patient is subject to one medication gaffe every day.
• 1.5 million Americans get sick, hurt or are killed by prescription errors.
• 25% of these are preventable.

The study advised hospitals to switching to electronically written prescriptions, use bar codes and develop integrated, compatible prescription systems between hospitals, doctors and pharmacies.

Furthermore, patients need to be proactive in learning about the drugs they’re prescribed, why, and the recommended dosage.

You don’t want your obituary to read, “Killed By Bad Handwriting.”

“Medication Errors Injure More Than 1.5 million Yearly, Study Finds” [CNN]

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