Medication Errors

Many seniors in nursing homes take medications for conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, or other medical needs. It is important that seniors who need to take prescribed medication take their medications as indicated by a doctor. It is also crucial they get medications adjusted as needed and get proper medical supervision. Unfortunately, medication errors, when they occur, can have devastating consequences, including overdoses, fatalities, and serious injuries. Nursing home abuse attorneys in Hollywood, Miami, Homestead, and other South Florida communities see the catastrophic effects of medication errors in care environments all the time.

Medication errors can involve:

• A resident getting the wrong dosage
• A resident not getting the medication they need
• A resident being over or under medicated
• A resident getting medication intended for another patient
• A resident getting the wrong medication or getting medication that they are knowingly allergic to

Medication errors can have devastating consequences. A resident who gets the wrong medication or wrong dose may experience a variety of issues, including seizures, coma and other conditions. Someone who doesn't get their medication for heart ailments can be at risk of a heart attack or other serious complications. Someone who is given medications they are allergic to can have seizures or experience heart or organ failure. Medication errors can shorten a person’s life expectancy or can even prove fatal.

If a loved one has suffered an injury due to a medication mix-up, contact a nursing home abuse and negligence attorney in Hollywood, Homestead, Miami or your community. You can always reach Flaxman Law Group online or at 866-352-9626 if you need fast support and advice.

In many cases, medication errors are discovered only after a patient has an adverse effect, such as a seizure or loss of consciousness. Whenever a serious medical issue occurs, it is important to check to see whether a nursing home resident has been properly given their medication and has been getting regular medical treatment to ensure their dosages are accurate and up-to-date.

When medical errors occur sometimes they are unfortunate mistakes. However, nursing homes are expected to take precautions to ensure that nursing home residents are getting the right medication. Negligence may have contributed to a medication error if:

• A staff member did not check dosages before administering medication
• Proper medical records were not kept
• Staff members did not properly update medical records
• Residents did not visit a doctor for proper treatment as needed
• Medications were not administered on time
• Patient names were not tracked
• Patient records and names were not read when medication was given
• Residents who need support taking their medications are not offered help
• Staff are not screened for qualifications or are not given the right training

The reality is that medication errors are preventable with proper checks and measures in place. Nursing home staff are expected to administer medications correctly and are expected to have systems which ensure the proper offering of medications. When something goes wrong, it issues of understaffing, undertrained staff, or other instances of negligence should be investigated by a nursing home abuse attorney in Hollywood.

If you have been told that a resident has suffered a serious complication due to a simple error, check to see whether it wasn't negligence instead. To find out, contact a Hollywood nursing home abuse attorney for a consultation. You can always reach Flaxman Law Group online or at 866-352-9626 if you’d like to speak to an experienced and compassionate legal team.