What Medication Errors are Common in Nursing Homes?
Staff members in nursing homes have many responsibilities. They must ensure the needs of residents are always met, which includes prescribing and administering medication. Doctors, nurses, and staff members in nursing homes have a legal obligation to ensure they fulfill these responsibilities and that they do not make mistakes so residents are protected. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen and when they do, residents in nursing homes can suffer serious injuries. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney outlines some of the biggest medication errors in these facilities.
Not Administering Medication
Perhaps the most common medication error in nursing homes is that staff members fail to administer it at all. Residents in nursing homes often suffer from many injuries and illnesses and they require medication to treat them. Residents do not get the medication they need due to improper communication among staff members, staff shortages, and improper oversight of administration. When nursing home residents do not receive the medication they need, they can suffer very serious harm.
Incorrect Dosage
It is important that nursing home residents receive the medication they require. It is also just as critical that the doses they receive are accurate. If not enough medication is administered, it will not help a patient’s condition. If too much of a medication is administered, a resident may suffer an overdose. Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to overdoses and they can even result in wrongful death.
Incorrect Medication
For those who work in nursing homes, these can be very chaotic environments. With so many residents requiring so many different types of medication, it is critical that nursing homes have systems in place to ensure that patients receive the proper type of medication. Unfortunately, giving residents the wrong medication is a very common mistake in nursing homes. To prevent harm from occurring, staff members must receive proper training and all prescription labels should be read carefully before any medication is administered. Labels should always be carefully reviewed any time medication is dispensed.
Mislabeled Medications
Mislabeled medications are also very common in nursing homes. This problem is often a result of medication being taken out of their original container. Any time medication is prescribed to a nursing home resident, the label should always be checked carefully. All medication labels should also include any special instructions, such as to take with food, as well as any side effects associated with the drug. All labels should also provide clear instructions about how to administer the medication, and when to administer it.
Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Help with the Above Errors
Medication errors cause some of the most serious injuries in nursing homes. They are also entirely preventable. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can advise on the facts of your case, determine who is liable for your loved one’s injuries, and help your family claim the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or chat with us online to request a free consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about your legal options.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
