Are Medication Errors Common in Chicago Nursing Homes?

Medication errors in nursing homes are a serious and preventable issue, often resulting from understaffing, lack of proper training, or failure to follow safety protocols. 

When residents receive the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or miss essential treatments, the consequences can be severe—ranging from adverse drug reactions to life-threatening complications.

Nursing homes have a legal duty to ensure residents receive the correct medications as prescribed. When facilities fail to uphold this responsibility, residents and their families have the right to seek legal action. 

How Often Do Medication Errors Happen in Nursing Homes?

Medication errors in nursing homes are a widespread issue that poses significant risks to nursing home residents, leading to serious medication errors, adverse events, or even death. In the US alone, an estimated 800,000 preventable medication‐related injuries occur every year in nursing homes and care facilities as a result of common medication errors.

When serious medication errors occur, the consequences for nursing home patients can be devastating. Incorrect medication can lead to missed diagnoses, incorrect treatments, or unaddressed medication interactions. Nursing home abuse may also be implicated when negligence or intentional harm contributes to medication-related injuries.

These errors can result from poor communication, understaffing, or inadequate training of nursing home staff members responsible for administering medication. 

Nursing home patients, particularly those on multiple medications, are especially vulnerable to these mistakes, as incorrect dosages, drug interactions, and missed doses can severely impact their health and overall well-being. 

Medication errors in nursing homes can also occur due to medical errors, such as improper record-keeping or failure to follow medication management protocols, which compromise patient safety. Many facilities fail to address errors in nursing homes effectively, allowing mistakes to go unreported and unchecked, further putting residents at risk.

If a nursing home resident experiences a medication error, it is crucial to take immediate action to report the issue and investigate the cause. By holding care facilities accountable for these mistakes, families can help prevent medication errors in nursing homes and improve safety for all patients.

How Common Are Medication Errors in Chicago Nursing Homes?

A study from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that up to 26% of nursing home patients experience a medication-related error. 

Furthermore, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has recognized nursing home medication errors as one of the most common safety concerns in facilities. 

With many errors going unreported or unnoticed, the frequency of these mistakes poses a serious risk to the health and well-being of residents, especially if they fail to consistently get their proper medication.

Why Do Medication Errors Happen in Nursing Facilities?

According to a 2021 study from the National Institutes of Health, medication errors in nursing homes are increasing and are largely attributed to factors such as inadequate staff training, understaffing, and failures to follow proper protocols. 

In some cases, errors in administering medication are the result of poor communication between healthcare providers, staff, and family members. It’s important to remember that all of the causes of medication errors in nursing homes could be mitigated with improved systems and management.

Poor Training 

Staff members who are inadequately trained in proper drug administration are more likely to make mistakes, whether it’s in understanding dosages, medication timing, or handling prescriptions.

Understaffing 

When there is not enough staff on hand, nurses and caregivers may rush through drug administration, increasing the likelihood of errors. This issue is compounded by high patient-to-staff ratios, which strain the ability of nursing facilities to provide attentive care.

Failure to Follow Medication Management

Nursing homes must adhere to strict protocols to ensure accurate administration. However, failure to follow these protocols often results in medication errors.

Inaccurate Record-Keeping

Inaccurate or outdated medical records can lead to incorrect medication being administered or dosages being mixed up. This is a serious issue that frequently leads to adverse drug events.

The Most Common Medication Errors in Nursing Homes

Here are some of the most common medication errors in nursing homes, which can lead to serious health complications for residents.

Wrong Dose

Administering the wrong dosage, whether too little or too much, can have dangerous consequences, leading to severe health complications or even overdose.

Wrong Medication

Mix-ups between residents or dosages, if nursing home residents take multiple medications, can lead to nursing home residents receiving the wrong medication, which can cause harm to their health.

Missed or Delayed Doses

If residents miss or are delayed in receiving necessary medications, it can cause their health conditions to worsen or lead to new complications.

Failure to Monitor Drug Interactions

Certain medications can interact negatively with one another. When nursing homes fail to monitor and manage these interactions, it can lead to serious side effects or health complications.

Improper Administration

Improper administration of medication, such as giving it at the wrong time or without the required food or liquid, can affect its efficacy or cause harm.

Consequences of Medication Errors for Nursing Home Residents

The consequences of nursing home medication errors can range from minor health issues to serious, life-threatening conditions.

Physical Health Impacts

Medication errors can result in falls, dizziness, and confusion, increasing the risk of injury for residents. Incorrect dosages can also lead to severe allergic reactions, organ damage, or respiratory distress.

Worsening of Chronic Conditions

Incorrect medication doses can exacerbate chronic conditions, leading to more severe symptoms and further health deterioration.

Severe Reactions and Fatal Overdoses

In the worst cases, medication errors in nursing homes can lead to life-threatening complications, including cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and even death.

How an Effective Error Reporting System Can Prevent Medication Errors

An effective issue-tracking system can help prevent medication errors and improve patient safety.

Mandatory Staff Reporting of Medication Errors

Staff should be required to report any medication errors they observe, which helps create an accurate record and allows for immediate corrective action.

Frequent Medication Audits

Regular audits of medication administration practices and records can help identify issues before they lead to serious errors, supporting medication safety.

Staff Training and Education

Ongoing education and training are critical to preventing medication errors. Facilities need to continuously update their staff on best practices for medication control and monitoring.

Immediate Corrective Action

When an error occurs, it’s important for the facility to act quickly and take corrective measures to minimize the harm and prevent similar mistakes in the future.

What Family Members Can Do If a Medication Error Happens

If you suspect that a medication error has occurred in a nursing home, it is essential to take prompt action to protect your loved one.

Document Health Changes

Observe any changes in your loved one’s health that might indicate a medication mistake, such as confusion, dizziness, or new symptoms. Keeping a record of these changes can provide valuable evidence.

Request Medical Records

Requesting medical records and comparing them to the prescribed medications can help determine whether the medication administration was accurate.

Ask About the Incident Tracking System

Ask the facility about its medication error reporting system and how the mistake was documented. This will help you understand whether proper procedures were followed and whether the medication error was addressed.

Report the Incident to IDPH

If you suspect a medication error, file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure that the medication error is formally documented and investigated.

If the oversight caused significant harm to your loved one, consulting with a lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for medical costs and suffering. Healthcare professionals must take all the steps needed to prevent medication errors in nursing homes. 

How a Medication Error Lawyer Can Help

If your loved one has been harmed by a medication error in a nursing home, a Chicago nursing home medication error lawyer can help in several ways to ensure that justice is served. Legal professionals specializing in medical malpractice can investigate the incident thoroughly.

We can gather and analyze the patient’s medical history and relevant records to determine whether proper procedures were followed by nursing home staff members and healthcare providers. If the error was due to negligence, the lawyer will hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Medication errors are of significant concern as they can cause major physical, emotional, and financial harm. A lawyer can pursue compensation and financial aid for medical expenses resulting from the error, including healthcare costs for any injuries caused by medication errors or medical malpractice.

By consulting with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago, families can ensure that they are well-equipped to navigate the legal process and secure the compensation their loved one deserves.

Call (800) 926-7565 or fill out our online form to book a free consultation.