The Dangers of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

 Posted on January 27, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

A medication error can happen in any healthcare setting, and nursing homes and assisted living facilities are no exception. When these errors occur, they can cause significant physical and emotional harm to the resident. It is important for family members of those affected to understand what their rights are in the event of a medication error.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should know how medication errors can occur in nursing homes, the types of injuries that may result from them, and what kind of compensation may be available.

How Do Medication Errors Occur?

Medication errors can occur from a variety of causes. Some of the most common include but are not limited to:

• Administering the wrong medication or dosage - If a staff member mixes up the doctor’s orders, a patient could get the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of the right medication. The patient might even miss a dose of their necessary medication.

• Failure to properly monitor residents - Medications must be given in accordance with a doctor’s instructions and monitored carefully for any adverse reactions or dangerous interactions with other drugs.

• Failure to account for allergies - Nursing home staff should always be aware of any allergies their patients have before administering medications.

• Incorrectly filled prescriptions - Prescriptions should always be verified by a second person before being filled so that the correct dosages are given and the doctor’s directions are followed.

• Improper storage - Certain medications must be kept at specific temperatures or protected from light exposure. If these conditions are not met, the chemical composition of the medication can change, possibly leading to incorrect dosages or dangerous interactions with other drugs.

• Lack of communication - It is essential that all staff members communicate effectively when it comes to administering medications or when changes in dosage are made. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to patient care.

• Inadequate training - Staff members who administer medications should have proper training in doing so. Without such training, they may not know how to properly give medications or recognize potential side effects.

What Injuries Are Associated With Medication Errors?

Medication errors can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from mild symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, to more serious ones such as organ damage, stroke, heart attack, coma, and even death. In some cases, injuries can result in long-term complications such as memory loss or difficulty speaking. It is important to realize that if the error was caused by negligence on the part of the nursing home staff members (such as lack of training), the injured resident may be entitled to financial compensation.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Medication Error Lawyer

If your loved one was harmed by a medication error while residing in a nursing home or assisted living facility, an experienced Illinois nursing home injury attorney can help you understand your available options. Call 312-535-4625 for a free consultation and case review with a member of the team at Schwartz Injury Law today.

Sources:

https://www.amcp.org/about/managed-care-pharmacy-101/concepts-managed-care-pharmacy/medication-errors

https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/medication-safety-nursing-homes-whats-wrong-and-how-fix-it