Medication errors in nursing homes pose a serious threat to elderly residents who often rely on daily prescriptions to manage chronic conditions or recover from illness. While falls and pressure ulcers are well-known hazards in long-term care facilities, the danger of incorrect medication often goes overlooked.
If your loved one suffered harm due to a medication error in a nursing home, our Western Pennsylvania nursing home abuse & neglect attorneys at Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. are ready to help. With deep experience in nursing home abuse and neglect cases, our legal team can investigate the circumstances, identify who is responsible, and fight for justice and fair compensation. Contact us today at (724) 658-8535 to learn how we can hold negligent facilities accountable and help protect your family’s rights.
What are the Common Causes of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes?
The common causes of medication errors in nursing homes include understaffing, misreading or miswriting prescriptions, and failing to administer food, water, or antacids with medications. These issues result from poor training, communication breakdowns, and neglect of administrative protocols.
1. Inadequate Nursing Home Staff
Many nursing facilities do not have enough staff members to adequately treat every patient. This often leads to staff members experiencing exhaustion, which results in inattention. For example, a nurse who is overworked may forget to administer medication to a patient or may make a mistake due to drowsiness. Exhaustion may also cause staff members to not properly monitor residents after administering drugs.
2. Errors When Writing or Reading Prescriptions
A doctor may write down the wrong prescription, or a pharmacist may pick the wrong drugs from the shelf. Even if the doctor writes down the correct medication, he or she may write 10 milligrams instead of 1.0. Another possibility is a pharmacist misreading a prescription due to illegible handwriting. Any of these circumstances may result in the wrong medication being given, which can have disastrous consequences.
3. Not Providing Food, Water or Antacids
Certain medications have strict requirements for how they should be given. Some require patients to eat meals, drink a cup of water or take antacids with them. If the nursing staff does not give medications in the correct way, there can be adverse reactions in patients.
Drug errors in nursing homes can result in serious health complications for your loved one. If you have concerns about medication mistakes, you should talk to a lawyer about your options.
| Common Causes of Medication Errors | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Inadequate Nursing Home Staff | Understaffing leads to overworked and fatigued staff, increasing the likelihood of errors. | Forgetting to administer medication or failing to monitor patients after dosing. |
| Prescription Writing/Reading Errors | Mistakes when prescribing or interpreting medication instructions. | Incorrect dosage written (e.g., 10 mg instead of 1.0 mg) or pharmacist misreading due to illegible handwriting. |
| Improper Administration | Failure to provide required food, water, or antacids when giving medication. | Giving pills without water or failing to follow timing/dietary requirements, leading to adverse reactions. |
What are the Risks of a Nurse Forgetting to Administer Medication?
Forgetting to administer medication can cause serious health consequences, including worsening of the patient’s condition, prolonged hospital stay, drug resistance, or death. It may also result in legal liability for negligence, professional disciplinary action, and loss of trust from patients and healthcare providers.
How to Spot Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
Medication errors in nursing homes can be dangerous and are unfortunately, quite common. Being vigilant about the care your loved one receives is crucial. Here are some important indicators that can help you identify potential medication errors:
- Noticeable Shifts in Health: Keep an eye out for unexpected symptoms such as increased drowsiness, confusion, or changes in behavior. Such signs might suggest that a resident is either receiving incorrect dosages or the wrong medication altogether.
- Irregularities in Medication Schedules: Observe the consistency with which the nursing home staff administers medication. It’s important that your loved one receives their medication exactly as prescribed, both in terms of dosage and timing. Inconsistencies here can be a red flag.
- Mismatches in Medical Records: Regularly check the medication logs provided by the nursing home. Compare these logs with the doctor’s prescriptions. Look for any mismatches or unexplained alterations in the type or quantity of medication administered.
- Unclear or Incomplete Medication Logs: If the entries in the medication logs are not clear or complete, it could indicate a lack of attention to detail in the administration of medications. Do not hesitate to request clarity on any part of the records that is not understandable.
- Unclear or Evasive Staff Responses: Pay attention to how the nursing home staff communicates with you. Evasive or unclear answers regarding your loved one’s treatment could suggest problems in medication management.
Being proactive and monitoring these aspects can make a significant difference in protecting your loved one from potential medication errors in their nursing home.
If you suspect a loved one has suffered due to a medication error in a nursing home, Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. is here to help. Our experienced Western Pennsylvania nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can review medical records, investigate medication administration practices, and work to identify signs of negligence. To schedule a consultation contact us today at (724) 658-8535.
