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How Medication Mistakes Can Be Avoided in Virginia’s Nursing Homes

Medication errors are a deadly result of nursing home neglect in Virginia. The issue is so prevalent that seven out of ten residents in nursing homes have been subjected to medication mistakes. Elderly residents, many with significant pharmaceutical needs, are already fragile. An error in medication, even once, could cause serious illness, injury or even death to the resident. The more medication a resident is required to take, the higher the rate of medication mistakes.

The most common medication mistakes caused by nursing home neglect in Virginia's nursing homes are:

  1. Types of Medications: Administering the wrong drug.
  2. Amount: Administering the wrong dosage.
  3. Drug Interactions: Administering the wrong combination of medications causing an adverse reaction. Many nursing home staff are already so busy that they are unable to monitor for drug interactions, in particular watching for adverse reactions to medications.

It is heartbreaking when these mistakes happen to loved ones who are unable to care for themselves, and oftentimes unable to speak for themselves. Your loved one may show one or more of the following warning signs, indicating that an error was made in medication administration at the nursing home:

  1. Sedated and overly-drowsy
  2. Confused and delirious
  3. Hallucinations
  4. Incontinence
  5. Malnutrition and dehydration
  6. Falling
  7. Bruises and Fractures

Virginia nursing home staff must pay closer attention when administering medication to the residents. Medication mistakes caused by Virginia nursing home neglect can be resolved by taking the following steps:

  1. Check and re-check the medication labels, instructions and expiration dates.
  2. Monitor for adverse drug reactions in each resident.
  3. Install computer systems in Virginia's nursing homes that track patients' prescription drugs and notify nursing home staff when the combination of medications will result in adverse reactions.
  4. If more than one nurse is assigned to administer medications, communication is essential to ensure that important information is shared among nursing home staff.

Although medication mistakes are preventable, the nursing homes in Virginia are understaffed, making it difficult to avoid the complications involved with medication errors. If you believe that you or a loved one has been a victim of medication mistakes caused by nursing home neglect, contact an experienced Virginia nursing home neglect attorney for immediate assistance.

Many elderly nursing home residents are unable to speak for themselves; we can be their voice. Attorney Michael Weisberg has spent the last four decades defending victims of nursing home neglect and abuse in the Tidewater area, including the greater Norfolk and Portsmouth areas, as well as Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Poquoson, Newport News, Williamsburg, Suffolk and Franklin. Contact VA nursing home neglect lawyer Michael Weisberg at (800) 690-0235 or complete the contact form found at the top of this page for a free, no obligation consultation.




Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Email: info@weislaw.com
www.weislaw.com