Medication errors made in nursing homes are almost always preventable, but are among the most dangerous mistakes staff can make. Just one mistake, like administering the wrong drug, administering the wrong dose, or missing a dose of medication, can cause life-threatening complications.
Residents in nursing homes often take multiple medications that need to be taken at various times of the day. That means it’s vital that staff carefully manage how medications are given.
Common Causes of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
Staff breakdowns in supervision, communication, and training often lead to medication errors involving residents. These mistakes are unacceptable, as many residents rely on staff to manage their medications.
Medication errors usually result from breakdowns in communication, training, or supervision. Common mistakes or causes of errors include: providing the wrong medication; failing to review drug interactions; giving medication at the wrong time; poor documentation or charting errors; understaffing or rushed care; administering the wrong dosage; lack of monitoring after medication is administered; missing doses or skipping medications altogether; failing to review drug interactions; andnot accounting for allergies or the resident’s medical history.
Signs and Symptoms of Medication Errors in Nursing Homes
Depending on the medication and the type of errors, the signs of a medication mistake vary. However, any sort of sudden or unexplained change in the resident is cause for concern.
General warning signs of medication errors are:
- Sudden confusion or delirium
- Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Agitation or unusual behavior
- Dizziness or frequent falls
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Breathing problems
Signs of overdose include:
- Severe sedation or inability to wake
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Pinpoint or dilated pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
Signs of underdose or missed medication include:
- Worsening of existing medical conditions
- Uncontrolled pain
- High blood pressure or blood sugar
- Seizures in patients with seizure disorders
- Stroke or cardiac complications
Signs of drug interactions or allergic reactions include:
- Rash, hives, or swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Confusion or severe agitation
- Organ-related symptoms (kidney or liver issues)
Injuries & Complications Caused by Medication Errors
When a resident receives the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, it can cause serious issues throughout the body. In particular, older adults are at a higher risk of serious injury or illness. That’s because their bodies are more strongly affected by medications, and their reactions to them can be unpredictable.
Physical injuries can involve falls resulting in fractures or head injuries; severe sedation or a loss of consciousness; and weakness or loss of coordination.
Errors can trigger medical complications such as stroke; seizures; kidney or liver damage; respiratory depression or failure; heart attack or arrhythmias; and internal bleeding (this is especially common in those on blood thinners.
Infections and systemic effects can include aspiration pneumonia from sedation or swallowing issues and complications from untreated conditions due to missed medications.
Psychological and cognitive effects include behavioral changes; delirium or acute confusion; and memory loss or cognitive decline.
Life-threatening outcomes involve death; overdose; coma; organ failure; and severe allergic reactions.
Nursing Home Medication Errors FAQs
How common are medication errors in nursing homes?
It’s very common for medication errors to occur. That’s especially true if residents take multiple medications daily at their nursing home. Health agencies across the U.S. suggest cases of medication errors are underreported and are a serious concern for residents in nursing homes.
Why are elderly residents more vulnerable to medication errors?
As we get older, our bodies process medication differently. Changes in metabolism and organ function mean medications may affect us differently than they did in the past. Many older residents also take multiple medications daily, which increases the risk of drug interactions.
Receiving the wrong medication — even if it’s just a standard dose — can have unexpected and life-altering consequences.
What are the most dangerous types of medication errors?
Residents are at risk when they receive too much of a medication or miss dosages of critical medications. Unintended drug interactions may also cause complications.
These types of medication errors may cause a severe allergic reaction, heart complications, respiratory failure, or stroke. Errors involving the use of sedatives or blood thinners present another significant risk.
What should I do if I think my loved one received the wrong medication?
Do not wait to take action! Begin by documenting your concerns with photos and diligent notes. Every detail helps when building a case involving improper medication. Make sure to obtain medical records and ask the nursing home for a detailed explanation of why your loved one received the wrong medication.
Seek medical treatment for the resident as soon as possible to prevent further injury. In some cases, it may be necessary to contact Florida’s oversight agencies.
Can medication errors cause long-term damage?
Absolutely, and in the most serious cases, they can cause death. Depending on the severity of the mistake, medication errors can lead to organ damage, chronic health issues, or severe cognitive decline. Major mistakes may be irreversible and lead to life-altering injuries.
Are nursing homes required to track medication administration?
Yes. Facilities must maintain detailed medication administration records (MARs) and follow strict protocols to ensure accurate medication administration. Failure to do so may indicate a breakdown in care standards.
Why should I contact Weisser Law if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?
Cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect are often more complex than you may think and require precision in building your case. That’s where the team at Weisser Law becomes vital.
Nursing homes and their insurance providers will act fast and without restraint to protect themselves and weaken the credibility of your claims. Important medical records, staff logs, internal reports, and other critical evidence can be lost or altered if no one intervenes.
Weisser Law has decades of experience investigating these cases, spotting the warning signs of abuse, understanding how facilities will try to cover up their actions, and ultimately proving that our clients were harmed. Weisser Law consults the right experts to identify exactly how, where, and when nursing homes failed to meet their legal obligations.
Our focus is on building strong, evidence-driven cases that hold accountable the people and facilities that harmed our clients and their families.
Just as important, there’s no financial risk to getting answers about your circumstances. Your consultation is always free, and you pay nothing upfront — we only get paid if we win.