Types Of Medication Errors In Nursing Homes

Law Blog

Nursing home injuries or abuses are not always about physical accidents. Abuse comes in different forms with different consequences. For example, medication errors can harm residents on medication. Below are a few examples of such medication errors.

Wrong Medication

A nursing home resident can get the wrong medication in multiple ways. For example, drug mix-ups can occur if multiple residents are on medication.

The wrong medication is dangerous at different levels. For one, the medical condition that the resident's physician wanted to treat will worsen. Secondly, drugs have different effects on people. A resident might end up with a drug that might trigger medical complications.

Incorrect Dosage

Both under dosage and overdosage mistakes are dangerous. A patient who takes inadequate drugs might not heal in time or at all. A patient who overdoses might suffer different complications or intensified drug side effects.

Multiple errors can lead to incorrect dosage. For example, the problem can affect a home resident might if:

• The responsible nurse misreads the drug labels
• The prescribing physician makes a mistake
• The dispensing chemist makes a mistake
• The resident tries to take the medication alone and makes a mistake

The incorrect dosage cause determines liability.

Dangerous Drug Combination

Some drugs are helpful and safe when taken separately but dangerous in combination. Physicians are always careful not to prescribe drugs that can interact and cause medical complications.

• They interview patients to learn other drugs the patients have
• They scrutinize medical records to learn about drugs the patients take
• They liaise with other medical professionals to learn about other prescriptions

Unfortunately, dangerous drug combinations occur despite these measures. For example, a nursing home resident might borrow drugs from a friend.

Wrong Administration

Patients have to take some drugs in certain ways. For example, your doctor may advise you to:

• Mix a drug with warm water
• Take a drug before or after eating
• Take a drug at certain times of the day, such as at night
• Avoid application on some parts of the body, such as the eyes

Nursing homes should help their residents and ensure correct drug administration. For example, residents with arthritis or dexterity issues might struggle to administer eye drops alone.

Anyone who has suffered a medication error should get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical diagnosis will help overcome the complications the resident might have surfed. After that, a consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer is necessary. An experienced lawyer can identify the liable party and pursue the relevant damages. Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer near you to learn more.

11 March 2022