Medication errors can come in many forms. Some of these errors are the result of careless staff, while others are the result of inadequate training. No matter the cause, a medication error can have traumatic results.
Incorrect Dosage or Medicine
The most basic errors regarding medication can also be the most catastrophic. When medications are mixed up, a patient could receive the wrong dosage of their prescription or the wrong drug altogether. In some cases, doses that are too high or too low could have fatal complications. The same is true for patients that take the wrong medicine by mistake.
Unsafe Administration
The right type and dosage of medication are not automatically safe for use. In some cases, especially with medications that require injections, the improper administration of a drug could be harmful.
Failure to Warn
Nursing home residents have the right to stay informed of their condition and make decisions regarding their treatment. Because of this right, it is the duty of a nursing home and their employees to inform residents of any potential risks or side effects that could occur with a medication. Failure to do so could result in a claim for damages.