Medication Errors
According to an article in the Boston Globe, nearly one out of every 10 nursing home residents suffers a medication-related injury each month. The risk of medication errors is much higher in nursing homes and assisted living residence than in hospital settings, due to chronic understaffing.
Signs of Overmedication
One of the common medication problems in nursing homes is the overuse of antipsychotic drugs. Nursing homes often deliberately overmedicate residents to make them more docile and easier to manage. You should contact an attorney if you notice signs of overmedication. Those signs may include:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Dizziness, lethargy, weakness
- Changes in personality or behavior
Causes of Medication Errors
Most medication errors are a preventable Some of the most common causes of medication errors in nursing homes include:
- Incomplete patient information. Nursing homes have many different doctors treating patients — often by telephone, relying on information provided by the overworked nursing staff.
- Miscommunication of drug orders. Many residents receive prescription drugs intended for another resident.
- Lack of computerized medication dispensing and monitoring systems as used in hospitals
- Lack of monitoring of patients for side effects.
- Under-medication due to a lack of drugs
Nursing Home Liability for Medication Errors and Overmedication
In almost all cases, medication errors are the result of negligence or wrongful actions. Nursing homes and assisted living residence are supposed to administer drugs safely to vulnerable residents and to monitor them for adverse side effects. A nursing home or assisted living residence may be found liable for failing to prevent injuries and deaths due to prescription drug errors or overuse of drugs.