A Closer Look at How Errors In Medication Can Turn Into Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Medication errors are a common and potentially dangerous occurrence in nursing homes. They can lead to serious health issues, injury, and in some cases, even death. Unfortunately, when these errors are made, they can also lead to a form of nursing home abuse. This article will discuss how medication errors can turn into nursing home abuse and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from these types of incidents:
Common Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
Among the most common types of medication error in nursing homes is prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. It is important for healthcare providers to always double-check the drug and dosage before administering it. In addition, patients’ allergies and other medications should be considered before prescribing a drug.
Another medication error that can occur in nursing homes is administering the wrong medication. This may happen when a patient is given the wrong drug or the wrong dosage. To prevent this error, nurses should ensure they know the patient’s medical history and any medications they are currently taking. In addition, nurses should double-check that the drug they are administering is correct.
Another medication error that may occur in nursing homes is using outdated medication. This can happen when medication is stored incorrectly or at an inappropriate temperature. Healthcare providers need to check that the medications are not expired and are stored properly.
Finally, medication errors can occur when patients do not take their medication as prescribed. This can happen when the patient does not take the medication as directed or skips doses. To prevent this type of error, patients should be monitored to ensure they take their medication as directed.
The Dangers of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
The consequences of medication errors in nursing homes can be serious. Sometimes, the errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, hospitalization, and even death. In addition, patients may suffer from prolonged suffering and increased risk of infection due to incorrect treatment.
Medication Errors in Nursing Homes: How They Can Turn Into Abuse
Medication errors can occur for many reasons. One of the reasons is that nurses may not have the proper training to administer medications properly. They may not understand the proper dosage amounts or may not be aware of the potential interactions between medications. Additionally, nurses may not be adequately trained in the proper storage and disposal of medications. This can lead to expired or contaminated medications being administered to residents, which can cause serious health problems.
Another reason medication errors can occur is due to improper documentation. Proper documentation is essential to ensure that medications are administered correctly and safely. However, if documentation is incomplete or incorrect, this can lead to serious errors in medication management. Additionally, some nurses may be overworked or understaffed, which can lead to medication errors.
Lastly, intentional mistakes might also occur. Unfortunately, some nursing homes tend to misuse chemical restraints. While it is necessary to use chemical restraints in some situations, staff members often resort to using antipsychotic drugs to ensure residents are quiet and compliant, even when they don’t need the medication. This use of chemical restraints is not only wrong but also dangerous.
Medication errors can easily turn into abuse if they are not addressed quickly. For example, if a resident is not given the proper dosage or is given the wrong medication, this can lead to serious health problems. Additionally, if drugs are not properly stored or disposed of, this can result in contamination or misuse of medications. This can lead to serious medical complications for the resident and even lead to death in some cases.
Conclusion
Medication mistakes are a sign of malpractice, mistreatment, and possibly even abuse in a nursing home. If your family member was injured due to a medication error, there might be legal avenues open to you for compensation for the harm. An injury lawyer in Phoenix can help you determine your next steps.
Contact the experienced injury attorneys in Phoenix at Bossie, Reilly, & Oh to discuss your options and get started on a claim if your loved one suffered due to medication errors in a nursing home. Schedule a consultation today!