Nursing Home Medication Mistake Injuries
Medication errors in nursing homes are not uncommon. In fact, the problem is so common that nursing homes are regulated based on the number of medication mistakes they make. In other words, the nursing home industry routinely makes avoidable errors that injure our valued elders.
If your loved one has suffered a medication injury in a nursing home due to abuse, neglect or negligence, it’s a serious situation that must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced Illinois nursing home injury attorney. At The Law Offices of Goldfine & Bowles, P.C., we are compassionate, determined lawyers for the injured with over six decades of experience. Since 1962, our dedicated team has proudly stood up for the rights of the injured and vulnerable throughout our community.
Medication Mistakes May Be Negligence
The most troubling thing about a nursing home medication mistake may be that it was avoidable. Many of the serious and sometimes fatal injuries that occur from the misguided actions of caregiving personnel are not “accidents” at all. Rather, they are frequently negligent acts. Medication injuries are often due to negligent staff who:
- Cut pills in half when they should not be divided
- Fail to adequately hydrate the resident when dosing medication
- Fail to provide adequate meals or antacids with medication
- Fail to thoroughly mix or shake medications as directed
- Fail to follow medical pass protocol
- Improperly dose eye drops
- Administer expired medications
- Exceed the prescribed maximum dosage
- Fail to administer the full prescribed dosage
- Administer medication at the incorrect time
- Administer an incorrect medication
- Require a patient to swallow a sublingual pill
These and other medication errors are often caused by facilities that are understaffed or by improperly trained staff members. In the worst cases, good people are injured because of careless disregard for a patient’s health, welfare and safety.
Work With An Experienced Illinois Nursing Home Injury Attorney
The fact that nursing home staff members may be overworked, tired or poorly trained does not excuse a medication error or make it an accident. In fact, any one of these factors may form the basis for a lawsuit against the facility. Physicians prescribe a certain dosage to be administered under specific conditions to provide a benefit for patients. When nursing home facilities and personnel ignore that order, manage medication administration poorly or otherwise compromise health and safety standards, they may be at fault.
Medication injuries in nursing homes are unacceptable. It’s important to hold these facilities accountable and get the full, fair compensation you and your loved one deserve. It’s also the best way to protect others from enduring a similar fate. If you or a loved one has suffered a loss due to a medication error, contact The Law Offices of Goldfine & Bowles, P.C., in Peoria at 309-673-5144, or feel free to reach out to us online.