According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, approximately one-third of adults in the United States take five or more medications. Although many patients rely on drugs to maintain their health and wellness, a minor prescription error could have devastating – and possibly fatal – consequences.
Medication mistakes are particularly common in nursing homes because so many residents rely on prescriptions. The following are common examples of prescription errors in nursing homes:
- Providing medication without adequate fluids;
- Crushing medication intended to be taken whole;
- Providing medicines without food;
- Failure to shake medication;
- And improper administration of eye drops.
If you or a loved one suffered a health complication due to a medical error in a nursing home, contact Morris Bart, LLC. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other losses.
A Lake Charles personal-injury lawyer will evaluate your case, gather evidence and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Let’s take a closer look at five common medication mistakes in nursing homes:
Providing Medication without Adequate Fluids
Some medications must be taken with a certain amount of fluids. If the patient does not drink the correct amount of fluids or is dehydrated at the time of consumption, the medicine may cause harm.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Crushing Medication Intended to Be Taken Whole
Some medications include “do not crush” instructions. The Institute for Safe Medication has compiled a list of oral medications that doctors, nurses and patients should not crush before consuming. If a nursing home staff member crushes these drugs before giving them to a resident, they may be ineffective or cause harm.
Providing Medicines without Food
Certain medications need to be taken on a full stomach or after antacids. Otherwise, the patient will suffer unintended side effects. Nursing home staff must have a proper understanding of how each drug should be administered to minimize the risk of complications.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Failure to Shake Medicine
Some medications require shaking or rolling prior to administration. Failure to do so may result in the patient taking too much or too little of the drug.
Improper Administration of Eye Drops
Many nursing home residents require eye drops on a regular basis. Staff members who administer these drops must ensure that they drop the fluid directly into the eye, and that the medication makes contact with the eye for the correct amount of time.
If you or a family member was the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC. A Lake Charles personal-injury attorney will help you pursue the maximum compensation for medical bills and non-economic damages.
Our legal team has been representing the injured for more than three decades, and we will give your case the individual attention that it deserves. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
