If a Patient develops an Allergic Reaction to a treatment/drug, is the doctor who prescribed it legally liable for it?

If a Patient develops an Allergic Reaction to a treatment/drug, is the doctor who prescribed it legally liable for it?

Here are some facts.

[1] It is not possible to predict which patient will develop an allergic reaction to what drug.

[2] Not all medications can have a test dose given.

[3] It is possible that a patient does not show an allergic reaction to a test dose, but shows an allergic reaction to the complete dose.

[4] So in most cases, the mere occurrence of an allergic reaction to a drug does not amount to medical negligence.

Here a few tips to make sure that you never open yourself up to lawsuits for allergic reactions to drugs:

[5] Always ask a patient if they have any known allergies to any drug before prescribing any medicines.

[6] Always document any allergies to drugs very clearly and highlight it, so that it is not missed even to other doctors/nurses glancing over the notes.

[7] Document the drug allergy very clearly in the case sheet in a conspicuous spot, and preferably over every prescription page as well. Mention it in the discharge summary of the patient as well.

[8] If a patient develops an allergic reaction, identify it early, stop the offending drug and manage the allergic reaction appropriately.

[9] Inform the patient about the allergy, and explain to them which drug needs to be avoided in the future.

[10] Also inform the patient about similar drugs to which the patient may be allergic.

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