Medication Errors in Nursing Homes

About Medication Errors in Nursing Homes

Medication errors in nursing homes are mistakes made while administering or preparing a resident’s medication. These mistakes can lead to an adverse drug event (ADE), which is harm experienced by a patient due to a medication.

Medication errors in nursing homes affect about 27% of residents, according to a study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.

Common nursing home medication errors include:

• Giving too much or too little of a drug
• Failing to check for dangerous drug interactions
• Prescribing the wrong medication

Medication errors in nursing homes can have serious physical and mental consequences and even lead to a resident’s untimely death. In some cases, drug errors may be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect.

If you suspect a medication error has harmed your loved one, LawFirm.com is here to help. We’ve partnered with top nursing home abuse lawyers who have secured over $273 million for families across the country.

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Why Do Medication Errors in Nursing Homes Happen?

Nursing facilities have a duty to provide a safe environment for the people in their care. However, when they fail to hire enough staff or lack safety protocols, vulnerable residents may be in danger.

Reasons for medication errors in assisted living facilities include:

• Inadequate documentation: Poor documentation practices, like inaccurate or incomplete medical records, can lead to medication errors in nursing homes.
• Lack of knowledge and training: When nursing home staff is not licensed or trained to give medications, the results can be devastating. Providing the wrong dose of a patient’s medication and poor administration techniques can cause serious injury and, in some cases, wrongful death.
• Not enough staff members: When nursing facilities have staffing issues, caregivers may be overworked, tired, and stressed. As a result, medication mistakes in assisted living facilities are more likely to occur.

Regardless of the cause of medication errors in long-term care homes, negligent facilities can and should be held accountable.

What Is the Procedure for Medications in Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes are supposed to deliver exceptional care to their residents. This includes accurately prescribing and administering medications as needed.

To do so, nursing homes should follow strict medication safety protocols to ensure resident health and well-being and avoid medication administration errors.

Medication management best practices include:

• Informing residents’ families before starting new medications
• Following established error reporting guidelines
• Maintaining comprehensive records of each resident’s medications
• Administering medications to residents with precision and care
• Prioritizing patient safety and promptly seeking assistance for adverse side effects
• Understanding each patient’s medical history to inform medication decisions

When nursing homes fail to follow these procedures and cause injury to a patient, families may be able to file a nursing home neglect lawsuit and pursue compensation.

How to Report Medication Errors in Assisted Living Facilities

Medication errors in assisted living facilities can be dangerous. By reporting suspected medication errors immediately, you can protect your loved one and other vulnerable residents at the facility.

Families can report nursing home medication errors to:

• 911: If your loved one has a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 right away.
• A nursing home ombudsman: Ombudsmen are advocates for nursing home residents and their families. They have been trained to resolve concerns about the care provided at a facility.
• A resident’s doctor: Tell your loved one’s primary care provider if you think medication errors may have occurred. They can perform tests to see if these mistakes may have affected your loved one’s health.
• A nursing home abuse law firm: A law firm may be able to take legal action on your behalf and seek compensation if your loved one was harmed by improper drug administration in a long-term care facility.

Quick action can ensure your loved one gets the medical care they need and starts down the road to recovery.

Seek Justice for Nursing Home Medication Errors

Even one medication mistake can result in severe harm, especially among elderly residents who may have underlying health conditions. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by a medication error, LawFirm.com is here to help.

Regardless of where you’re located in the United States, our legal partners can help families seek the justice and compensation they deserve, and they never charge any upfront or hourly fees.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or complete our contact form to see if they can fight for your family.