Medication Errors: A Preventable Problem.

Advancements in human healthcare are on an all time high. The treatment system is becoming hi-tech and sophisticated and vulnerable to errors at the same time. Various disasters have occurred due to medication errors at different levels of healthcare delivery. However, if a little bit of extra caution is observed by the various stakeholders these can be prevented largely.

Carbapenemases: The New Face of Antimicrobial Resistance.

With the advent of antibiotics, a new era ushered in bringing within its folds, a strong defense against the invading deadly microorganisms. This phenomenon is referred to as antimicrobial resistance. Carbapenemases are b-lactamases which hydrolyse carbapenems. The enzyme, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) breaks this ring, rendering the drug ineffective. NDM-1 producing bacteria are resistant to many existing antibiotics including carbapenems - a class of drug often reserved for emergency use and last resort treatment.