Medication Errors in Nursing Homes: How to Spot the Signs

No one expects their loved one to suffer harm in a place meant to provide care and safety. Sadly, medication errors in nursing homes occur more frequently than they should, and the effects can be life-changing.

Understanding medication errors in nursing homes and knowing how to spot the signs is the first step toward protecting someone you care about. At Bordas & Bordas, our attorneys help families throughout Pennsylvania understand their legal options and stand up to care facilities that harm or take advantage of vulnerable residents.

What Constitutes a Medication Error?

In legal terms, a medication error is any preventable event that leads to improper use of medication that harms a resident, such as:

• Giving the wrong medication
• Administering the incorrect dose
• Delivering medication at the wrong time or skipping doses
• Failing to check for harmful drug interactions

Medication errors in nursing homes are often the result of systemic problems such as poor staff training or insufficient supervision. State law, under 28 Pennsylvania Code § 211.12, requires nursing homes to provide the care and services necessary to attain or maintain the highest practicable well-being of each resident. This includes accurate and appropriate medication administration.

According to 28 Pa. Code § 211.10, nursing homes must also design and implement policies that ensure the protection of their residents from injury and infection. This includes those caused by medication mismanagement.

How to Recognize a Medication Mistake

Family members are often the first to notice that something is wrong. Signs that might suggest your loved one is receiving the incorrect medication in their nursing home include:

• Confusion, disorientation, or sudden behavioral changes
• Lethargy, fatigue, or unresponsiveness
• New or worsening health conditions
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Unexplained injuries
• Discrepancies in medication records

If you spot these symptoms, do not ignore them. In many cases, they are the earliest indicators of negligent medication management. A skilled attorney familiar with medication errors in Pennsylvania nursing homes could assess whether these signs indicate a deeper problem.

Reach Out to a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer About Medication Errors and How to Recognize the Signs

No one should have to question whether their loved one is receiving the right medication. If your loved one shows symptoms of a medication error, you have the right to ask questions to protect them. An experienced nursing home negligence lawyer could help you identify medication errors in nursing homes, understand how to spot the signs, and hold the responsible care facility to account.

At Bordas & Bordas, we have helped numerous families through these difficult situations, and we are ready to help you navigate yours. We do not charge a fee unless we secure compensation on your behalf. Start the legal process today by scheduling a free consultation.