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Blog 
Nursing Home Abuse
- Is the multistate nursing compact putting our Virginia elders at risk?
- Virginia nursing home supervisor refuses to take blame for abuse
- Beware sweet-talking financial abusers targeting elders in Virginia
- Eye Opening Facts about Virginia Elder Abuse & Neglect
- Questions for suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse / neglect
Firm News
Virginia Nursing Home Administrator embroiled in abuse complaints
Posted on 7/31/2010
More elder abuse scams target vulnerable Virginia citizens
Posted on 7/31/2010
This Memorial Day, Focus on Abuse of Veterans in Nursing Homes
Posted on 5/31/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home with violations will retain govn’t funding
Posted on 4/29/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home may lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
Posted on 3/31/2010
Jury awards senior $7.75 million in nursing home abuse lawsuit
Posted on 2/27/2010
Kickbacks lead to nursing home residents being prescribed drugs
Posted on 1/29/2010
Virginia Beach nurse implicated in nursing home identity theft
Posted on 1/29/2010
Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect may go up over the holiday season
Posted on 11/30/2009
Senators pushing back against DEA narcotics crackdown affecting nursing home residents
Posted on 10/31/2009
Firm Library
Nursing Home Abuse
- Suspect financial elder abuse? Your local Virginia bank teller could be an unexpected ally
- Nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia – a bigger problem than anyone realizes
- Virginia Elder Abuse: It Can Happen Anywhere
- Fighting for the Rights of Nursing Home Residents: the Healthcare Bill Targets Elder Abuse
- Mandatory Reporting of Virginia Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Are Virginia nursing home residents being hurt or killed by medication errors?
As a part of standard care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, doctors, nurses and other staff members are expected to assist residents with their prescription medications. Prescription drugs must be taken on time and at the correct dose to be effective, however this does not always happen.
Medication errors are not as rare as people might imagine. In fact, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study estimates that hospital medication-related errors kill as many as 40,000 to 100,000 people each year. There are no exact figures for medication mistakes in Virginia nursing homes, but the issue is serious enough to capture the attention of researchers.
According to a study to be published in “Quality and Safety in Health Care” claims that 7 out of 10 nursing home residents have been the victims of a prescription drug error.
What can go wrong with a nursing home patient’s prescription medication?
- The prescription itself could be written for the wrong drug or prescribed by a doctor unfamiliar with the patient
- The dose prescribed could be incorrect
- The drug could be inappropriate for the elder’s age, condition, or medical history
- The drug was dispensed incorrectly (incorrect medication or dose given at the pharmacy)
- The drug was not given following the doctor’s prescription instructions (i.e. drugs to be given on an empty stomach are given with meals)
- The patient was not properly monitored after being given a drug
- A dose is skipped or a dose is doubled up to make up for a missed dose
What factors contribute to medication mistakes in nursing homes?
- Inadequate medical training for nursing home or assisted living employees
- Doctors signing prescriptions for residents they know little about
- Lack of coordination and accurate documentation between staff members caring for the same patient
According to experts the biggest problem in nursing homes that contributes to medical errors is the lack of medical training for staff members. There are five “rights” that nurses and staff should follow every time medication is given to a nursing home or assisted living resident: give the right drug, at the right dose, using the right route, given at the right time, to the right patient.
Are you concerned about the care that your loved one is receiving in a Virginia nursing home or assisted living facility? Do you suspect that facility staff could be guilty of abuse or neglect, especially in regard to something as serious as prescription medication?
Please do not hesitate to get help if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse. The experienced attorneys at the Norfolk based law firm of Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. will discuss your concerns for no cost or obligation. You have nothing to lose – please contact their lawyers today.
Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
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Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
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