Medication Errors in Pittsburgh Nursing Homes: When Can a Facility Be Responsible?
Many nursing home residents take multiple medications every day.
A medication error can therefore have serious consequences, particularly for older residents who may already have complex medical conditions.
What Is a Nursing Home Medication Error?
Potential errors may include:
- Giving the wrong medication;
- Giving the wrong dose;
- Missing a scheduled dose;
- Giving medication to the wrong resident;
- Administering medication at the wrong time;
- Failing to monitor side effects;
- Continuing a discontinued drug;
- Failing to follow physician instructions; or
- Failing to respond to a dangerous drug interaction.
What Injuries Can Medication Errors Cause?
Depending on the drug and resident, consequences may include:
- Falls;
- Excessive sedation;
- Bleeding;
- Low blood pressure;
- Confusion;
- Kidney problems;
- Blood sugar emergencies;
- Seizures;
- Hospitalization; or
- Death.
What Records Can Help Explain What Happened?
Potentially important evidence may include:
- Medication administration records;
- Physician orders;
- Pharmacy records;
- Nursing notes;
- Incident reports;
- Hospital records;
- Medication-change orders; and
- Records of communication with physicians and family members.
These records may reveal whether the medication administered matched what was prescribed.
What If the Nursing Home Blames the Pharmacy?
Responsibility depends on the facts.
A medication error may involve the facility, pharmacy, prescribing provider, nursing staff, or multiple participants.
The source of the error should be investigated rather than assumed.
Pittsburgh Nursing Home Medication Error Lawyer
If your family member was hospitalized or seriously injured after a suspected medication mistake in a nursing home, contact Frank Walker Law to discuss a potential Pennsylvania nursing home negligence claim.
If this article could help someone else, please like and share it with your network. Medication errors can be difficult for families to recognize, and someone you know may benefit from understanding what records to review.
About Frank Walker Law
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Best Attorneys in America, Best Law firms of America, America’s Greatest Attorneys, and a Top AVVO Rated attorney, with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
Additionally, you can find Attorney Walker on YouTube, TikTok, the Pittsburgh Attorney Podcast and the West Virginia Attorney Podcast, where he gives legal tips (not advice!) and discusses the pressing legal issues of the day.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or are seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805 (Pittsburgh), 304-413-0179 (Morgantown), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.