Medication errors are a common occurrence within nursing homes, where medications are often improperly prescribed, misused, or given improperly or at incorrect doses. Nursing home personnel are tasked with keeping accurate records and ensuring patients are given the proper medications at the proper dosages. However, when those that are entrusted with the care of our loved ones fail, injury or death can occur. If you feel that your loved one was harmed due to a medication error at a nursing home, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free case assessment.
What Constitutes a Medication Error?
Medication errors can happen in a number of ways. The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines medication errors as such:
“any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer…related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use”
The common scenarios of medication errors that often occur in nursing homes include:
- Doctor’s prescription errors
- Failure to monitor for medication effects
- Failure to screen for allergies
- Accidental administration of incorrect medications
- Administering medication in an effort to control a resident
- Stealing of patient medications for personal use
- Crushing or slicing medications that should not be
- Improper administration of medications calling for special administration procedures
- Administering outdated or expired medications
- Administering medications to the incorrect patient
It is important that the error is traced to the responsible party following any medication error. Laws differ depending on who is at-fault which may impact the outcome of your case. America’s Consumer Lawyer will review your case and work to determine who may be specifically at-fault for your loved one’s injury or death.
Signs of a Medication Error
If a medication error should occur, it is important that a patient receives medical attention immediately. If medical personnel do not react quickly, or because of understaffing inexperienced employees miss the signs of an error or adverse reaction, it can cause everything from minor reactions, to irreparable damage, and even death. Signs of an adverse medication reaction include:
- Rash
- Changes in breathing
- Changes in heart rate
- Difficulty hearing, seeing, or concentrating
- Seizures
- Changes in mental state
- Diarrhea or vomiting
If your loved one is the victim of medication errors in a nursing home and has become seriously ill, suffered permanent debilitation, or has died, it is important that you discuss your case with a lawyer who has experience in abuse and neglect cases.
If you believe a loved one has been abused or neglected at a long-term care facility, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, for a free consultation. We are a Chicago injury law firm representing individuals and families who have suffered an injury or loss due to an accident. America’s Consumer Lawyer, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us–just the opportunity to seek justice.
