Nursing Home Abuse – Medication Errors

Nursing home medication errors are a serious yet often overlooked problem that affect millions of vulnerable individuals. The elderly and disabled have an increased risk of medication error due to their dependence on healthcare providers, who are responsible for distributing correct dosages in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, nursing homes are often understaffed and improperly funded, which can lead to mistakes in prescribing and/or administering medications. In addition to this, many elderly residents lack the cognitive faculties to report any misgivings regarding their own care accurately.

These factors combine to create an environment where errors are normalized and quality care is counteracted. As such, it is paramount that increased attention be given towards ensuring the safety of our most precious citizens through vigilant oversight both inside and outside of our nation’s nursing homes.

Contents

• What are the most common types of medication errors in nursing homes?
• How often do these errors occur?
• What are the consequences of medication errors in nursing homes?
• How can nursing home staff prevent medication errors?
• What are the consequences for nursing homes when medication errors occur?
• How do nursing homes investigate and respond to medication errors?
• Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

What are the most common types of medication errors in nursing homes?

There are many different types of medication errors that can occur in nursing homes. The most common type is when a nurse fails to give a resident their medication on time. This can be due to the nurse being too busy, forgetting, or simply not knowing that the resident needs the medication.

Other common types of medication errors include giving the wrong medication, giving the wrong dose, or giving the medication to the wrong person. These errors can often have serious consequences for residents, so it is important for nurses to be very careful when administering medications.

How often do these errors occur?

Medication errors in nursing homes, unfortunately, are all too common. According to a study conducted in 2014 by the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 36 percent of older adults residing in long-term care facilities experienced at least one medication error within a 12-month period.

This may be due to insufficient staffing or overworked staff, faulty storage or distribution systems, or a lack of or poor communication between staff and healthcare providers.

It is important that nursing homes adopt measures to increase patient safety and create protocols that focus on preventing medication errors. Doing so will protect vulnerable elderly individuals from receiving incorrect doses or medications and ensure their well-being is kept at a premium.

What are the consequences of medication errors in nursing homes?

The consequences of medication errors in nursing homes can be life-threatening. They often involve wrong doses, missed doses, incorrect prescribing instructions, and incorrect administration. Medication errors not only put the elderly resident’s health in danger but also can have long-lasting effects if not addressed quickly and appropriately.

Nursing home staff should monitor residents’ response to medications and identify any changes in mental or physical well-being that may signal a medication error has occurred. The nursing staff should also always double check the medications prescribed for individual residents to ensure accuracy before administering them.

When critical medication errors occur, the elderly resident can suffer from serious conditions that range from unfortunate mild side effects to sudden death. It is important for nursing homes to recognize the importance of recognizing and correcting medication errors as soon as possible to minimize the potentially devastating effects they could have on their residents.

How can nursing home staff prevent medication errors?

A medication error is defined as any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer.

There are many ways that nursing home staff can prevent medication errors. One way is by improving communication between all members of the healthcare team. Another way is by using technology, such as bar-coding medication administration systems, to reduce the risk of human error.

In addition, nursing homes can improve safety by implementing policies and procedures that standardize the way medications are ordered, stored, and given to residents.

What are the consequences for nursing homes when medication errors occur?

The consequences for nursing homes when medication errors occur can be serious and destructive. Not only do such errors have the potential to cause harm to residents, but they also lead to legal ramifications at a facility-wide level.

A single incident of negligence in administering medications can put an entire nursing home at risk of being held liable in civil court, leading to a variety of expensive financial penalties, including fines and settlements due to medical malpractice claims.

On top of this, organizations may incur increased insurance costs or may even lose their operating license altogether, which could render the organization unable to provide care and serve its primary purpose ultimately. It is clear that medication errors must always be taken seriously by nursing homes, as their eventual consequences could be dire and permanent.

How do nursing homes investigate and respond to medication errors?

Nursing homes are required to respond swiftly and appropriately to any incidents of medication errors. Investigations into the cause of the incident should be conducted thoroughly and promptly.

Nursing home staff should take all necessary steps to inform the involved physician, determine how to provide patient care best, document all aspects of the error, and evaluate the protocols in place for medication administration.

Any changes or revisions that might prevent a similar occurrence in the future should be made immediately and implemented throughout the nursing home.

If a serious medical emergency occurs due to a medication error, nurses have an obligation to ensure that proper emergency medical treatment is provided. This includes notifying relatives as soon as possible and involving law enforcement if necessary.

Ultimately, nursing homes must take immediate action to identify potential problems and provide solutions that will ensure the safety for their patients.
If you have suspicions of medication errors regarding someone you know or a loved one, contact a specialist nursing home abuse lawyer, you could be entitled to compensation.

Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you have experienced a medication error in nursing home, seeking out legal advice is an important action to take in order to ensure you are adequately and fairly compensated. Doing so can greatly reduce stress for both you and your loved ones due to the abuse.

At Breit Biniazan, our team of specialized lawyers will assess the situation

and make sure you understand all of your options and the procedures related to recovering compensation from the party responsible for the damage. By getting expert guidance from a legal professional, you will be able to get financial support quickly and easily. Contact Breit Biniazan personal injury lawyers for a consultation.

The lawyers of Breit Biniazan are known for their fierce representation, and we won’t rest until you win fair compensation for your Head-on collision personal injury case. 

Call Breit Biniazan at (855) 212-8200 for a free, confidential case evaluation today.