I would like to say, I appreciate the AARP article. My gist in reading it is that one needs an advocate when in the hospital.

Giving opiate naive patients fentanyl patches is dangerous, and the drug insert clearly states this. But this article illustrates that the patient's doctor did not pay attention to that treatment protocol.

I know a woman who stayed with her husband overnight in a hospital when he had a shattered wrist. He was given Morphine, for the pain, and the dose was too high for him, and his breathing slowed to an almost stop... she ran for help and the nurses revived him with antagonist! These things happen, and when people are sedated they cannot advocate for themselves, and they need a watchdog person at times to intervene.

Many people die in hospitals from unexpected drug combinations, overdoses, and errors. The net is filled with charts and at one time this was the 4 th leading cause of death in the US...after heart attack, stroke and cancer.

Here are some statistics on "unintentional drug overdoses" in Ohio... I find them very interesting.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...gVxLE7rl-mlLOQ

The misuse of potent medications is very common. Doctors ignore warnings and even warning letters from drug companies, when postmarketing events warrant the letters. Propulsid, Hismanal, Seldane, Duract, PhenFen...etc These are gone off the shelves today.
Here is a bigger list with reasons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_withdrawn_drugs

The warning letter for Propulsid was simple... maintain electrolytes potassium and magnesium in patients using it.
But doctors ignored this and gave high dose diuretics with it to the elderly who then died. This drug is very useful for gastroparesis... but now it is gone.

One cannot these days fully trust hospital care. One has to be very vigilant when hospitalized and if possible have a family member there for you to advocate!