Do Instances of Medication Errors Spike in July?
Research from the University of California, has revealed a possible link between a rise in medication errors, and the arrival of new resident doctors in hospitals. Analysis of more than 240,000 death certificates issued between 1979 and 2006, focusing on mediation errors as the cause of death, found that fatal medication errors spiked in July when compared to other months of the year. The study raises some important issues, including the possible need to reevaluate the responsibilities assigned to new resident doctors and the levels of supervision required.
