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| Decode the Bad Writing |
Updated 5/28/08
| This page is being developed to highlight the struggle patients and staff are victims of when medical professionals employ terrible |
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On June 23, 1995, Ramon Vasquez received the above prescription from his cardiologist. He
began taking the medication given to him by the pharmacist on a Saturday morning. By
Sunday night, the medication had affected his heart so much that he had a heart attack. He
died several days later.
What is the name of the first drug prescribed? Is it Plendil??? Isordil???
The pharmacist who filled this prescription read it as Plendil. The cardiologist who wrote the
Rx states that he wrote Isordil.
Suit was brought against the pharmacy and the cardiologist. The pharmacy settled early on
for a confidential amount. The case proceeded to trial against the physician. The jury found
that the cardiologist was negligent for writing the prescription illegibly and awarded damages
of $450,000.00. The jury assessed 50% of the responsibility for Ramon's death on the
cardiologist and 50% on the pharmacy.
This case marks the first time that a physician has been found negligent for illegible
handwriting. In his closing statement during the trial, Mr. Buckingham told the jury that they
had the power to effect a change in the old joke about a doctor's bad handwriting. The jury
listened and agreed. The national media quickly seized on the importance of the jury's verdict.
The case was covered by articles in all of the major newspapers. Stories on the verdict were
covered by CBS News, ABC News, MSNBC, Good Morning America, People magazine, the
National Law Journal, and other national media.
began taking the medication given to him by the pharmacist on a Saturday morning. By
Sunday night, the medication had affected his heart so much that he had a heart attack. He
died several days later.
What is the name of the first drug prescribed? Is it Plendil??? Isordil???
The pharmacist who filled this prescription read it as Plendil. The cardiologist who wrote the
Rx states that he wrote Isordil.
Suit was brought against the pharmacy and the cardiologist. The pharmacy settled early on
for a confidential amount. The case proceeded to trial against the physician. The jury found
that the cardiologist was negligent for writing the prescription illegibly and awarded damages
of $450,000.00. The jury assessed 50% of the responsibility for Ramon's death on the
cardiologist and 50% on the pharmacy.
This case marks the first time that a physician has been found negligent for illegible
handwriting. In his closing statement during the trial, Mr. Buckingham told the jury that they
had the power to effect a change in the old joke about a doctor's bad handwriting. The jury
listened and agreed. The national media quickly seized on the importance of the jury's verdict.
The case was covered by articles in all of the major newspapers. Stories on the verdict were
covered by CBS News, ABC News, MSNBC, Good Morning America, People magazine, the
National Law Journal, and other national media.
What can you do to assure that an illegible script does not lead to a misfilled prescription for
you or your family?
1. Try to read the prescription yourself before leaving the doctor's office. If the drug or dosage
schedule is not clearly readable, ask the doctor to rewrite the prescription form.
2. Ask the doctor to tell you verbally the drug and dosage schedule and compare that with
what you can read on the prescription form.
3. Ask the pharmacist to read the prescription aloud to you at the window before the filling
process begins.
4. Read the label on the prescription container to see if it matches your understanding of what
you were to receive.
5. Ask the pharmacist to open the prescription container and confirm that the medication
inside is what you were to receive.
These steps may be time-consuming and, at times, awkward. However, if they prevent the
misfilling of a prescription that you or a family member will be taking, they are worth the effort.
you or your family?
1. Try to read the prescription yourself before leaving the doctor's office. If the drug or dosage
schedule is not clearly readable, ask the doctor to rewrite the prescription form.
2. Ask the doctor to tell you verbally the drug and dosage schedule and compare that with
what you can read on the prescription form.
3. Ask the pharmacist to read the prescription aloud to you at the window before the filling
process begins.
4. Read the label on the prescription container to see if it matches your understanding of what
you were to receive.
5. Ask the pharmacist to open the prescription container and confirm that the medication
inside is what you were to receive.
These steps may be time-consuming and, at times, awkward. However, if they prevent the
misfilling of a prescription that you or a family member will be taking, they are worth the effort.
Think the last example was bad? Look at this next one. Only the date is (partly) legible. What
test was this doctor recommending?
test was this doctor recommending?
