Florida Family Files Suit Against Hospital for Fatal Medication Error

The family of a Miami man who died when he was given the wrong medication has filed suit against the North Shore Medical Center.  Instead of being given Pepcid, an over-the-counter antacid, a nurse injected Pancuronium, a muscle relaxant used in hospitals during respiratory intubation, into the man’s IV tube.

The 79-year-old man was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit where he complained of shortness of breath and an upset stomach.  Although Pepcid was ordered by the attending physician, the nurse grabbed the wrong package, injected the medication, and then left the man alone for nearly 30 minutes.  When the man was found, he was unresponsive.

According to Local10.com, a state investigation found that “the nurse on duty failed to read the label, failed to scan the medication and failed to scan the patient’s ID bracelet.”  Further, the nurse failed to follow proper safeguards to prevent a medication error.

The nurse, who received a reprimand and still works at North Shore, had to pay a fine and attend remediation courses.
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