Nursing Home Medication Errors
Many people must do their jobs correctly for a nursing home resident to receive the correct medication in the right dosage at the right time. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and nursing assistants all play an important role in seeing that residents receive their medications. Medication errors can — and do — happen at any link in the chain.
At Dansky Katz Ringold & York, our nursing home attorneys represent nursing home residents who have been injured by a broad range of medication errors, including:
- Overmedication — Intentionally overmedicating patients who are unpleasant to care for or otherwise difficult is unlawful. This is also known as creating "Chemical Restraints". The over use of psychotropic drugs like antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety drugs will sedate the patient so they don't have to deal with them nearly as often if at all. They are essentially creating a "chemical straight jacket" which is against the law. The side effects of being overmedicated can be very serious. Besides limiting the residents ability to function, the long term use of these drugs can lead to diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and central nervous system disorders as well as liver, kidney, pancreas, and other organ damage.
- Undermedication — Particularly when pain medication is involved, nursing homes and hospitals tend to give too little, leaving patients in agony.
- Failure to check for drug interactions — Nursing home residents may be taking multiple medications prescribed by several physicians. Failure to check for interactions among them can be deadly.
- Failure to respond to drug side effects — Some reactions to medication can cause life-threatening side effects. Failure to monitor residents and respond to these conditions is an example of nursing home negligence.
- Failure to properly administer the drug — Some drugs must be taken with food. Some drugs are best taken on an empty stomach. Some foods cancel the effects of certain medications.
- Wrong drug — Did your loved one get medications meant for someone else?
- Wrong dosage — Even the right drug can be dangerous in the wrong dosage.
Prescription drugs are powerful medicine. They have the ability to improve health and combat disease. Incorrectly prescribed, dispensed or administered, however, medications can cause severe injury and even wrongful death.
If your loved one was injured by a medication error, please contact an attorney at Dansky Katz Ringold & York, P.C. to arrange a free consultation and case evaluation. We represent clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas.
