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Why Medication Errors in a Nursing Home May Be a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse

Most older adults have injuries or long-term illnesses that require regular medication. For nursing home residents, most individuals rely on the staff to provide treatment and care. Taking the medication at a specific time and having the right amount is the nursing home’s responsibility. Serious harm can result from medication errors within nursing homes, so any mistakes can show the facility’s lack of care for a resident and hint at long-term neglect and abuse.

When your loved one requires long-term medical care for their health, it’s a nursing home’s responsibility to meet the elderly’s needs. Taking medication is a relatively fast task and requires the staff to know what type of pharmaceuticals the patients require, how much of the medication, and what time treatment must be administered. While not every medication error is nursing home abuse, the action can hint at some underlying problems within the facility and staff members. Catching these actions and investigating the possibility is vital for the safety of your loved one. 

What Are Common Medication Errors in Nursing Home Facilities?

The physical and mental problems that arise from improper medication can significantly affect the health of an elderly patient. Residents must receive proper medical treatment for their conditions. However, there are a few common medication errors that can occur within nursing homes:

  • Administering the wrong medication
  • Administering medications not prescribed to the patient
  • Administering too much or too little of the medication
  • Administering the medication at the wrong time

While accidents happen, nursing home staff members must understand the importance of properly administering medications since serious injuries can occur if not properly administered. If your loved one suffers harm because of medication errors, contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. 

Why Medication Errors May Be a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse

Not all medication errors lead to nursing home abuse and neglect cases. However, there is a high likelihood that these mistakes can point to continuous mistreatment and carelessness by the facility’s staff. Some causes of medication errors within a long-term care facility include:

  • Careless staff
  • Overpopulation of patients in the facility
  • Overworked staff members
  • Understaffing
  • Poor training for staff
  • Misreading medication labels and orders
  • Lack of follow up with doctors and pharmacists

The fault can point to the staff members and the facility’s lack of care for residents. If a nursing home does not have enough resources for the staff to properly do their job, they can also be held responsible for abuse and neglect.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

When suspecting nursing home abuse or neglect, the first action to take is to report the incident to New York’s Department of Health through their hotline or by filling out their Nursing Home Complaint Form. While the Division of Nursing Home and ICF/IID Surveillance is responsible for investigating the incident and nursing home, you may be overwhelmed with the need to take action as soon as possible. 

With the help of a nursing home abuse lawyer, you’ll have experienced lawyers investigating the incident and the nursing home on behalf of you and your loved one. They can help gather evidence, information, and documentation showing the nursing home’s breach of care and abuse. Having someone on your side to guide you through the legal process of filing a nursing home abuse claim is vital to your case. 

Find a Dependable New York Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP

When you work with a Dalli & Marino, LLP nursing home abuse lawyer, you can feel confident that you have the best possible legal representation for your case. We have years of experience within New York’s nursing home cases and can offer you honest guidance for legal proceedings. Instead of worrying about providing the necessary documentation and investigating the claim on your own, you can rely on dependable lawyers to protect and fight for your loved one’s rights.

Schedule a free consultation with a reliable nursing home abuse lawyer by calling (888) 465-8790 or filling out our contact form. We also speak Spanish.


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