Medication Errors in Portland Nursing Homes

Nursing home staff members have tremendous responsibilities. Unfortunately, they are also often overworked and under-trained, which can lead to major errors. Medication mistakes can lead to deadly consequences for nursing home residents. Overdosing, underdosing, or failing to give medications altogether can all cause needless resident pain and suffering. A Portland nursing negligence attorney may be able to help if you or a loved one have been injured in a facility.

Types of Medication Errors

Medication errors in nursing homes can occur in various forms. Understanding these errors is crucial in addressing and preventing them. Here are some common types of medication errors:

Overdosing

Overdosing occurs when a resident is given too much of a medication. This can happen due to incorrect dosage instructions, misreading a prescription, or administering multiple doses too close together.

Potential health consequences of overdosing include:

• Toxicity. Excessive medication can lead to toxic levels in the body, causing severe side effects or poisoning.
• Organ damage. High doses of certain medications can damage vital organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
• Respiratory issues. Overdosing on medications that affect the respiratory system can lead to breathing difficulties or respiratory failure.
• Death. In severe cases, overdosing can be fatal, particularly for elderly residents with pre-existing health conditions.

Underdosing

Underdosing happens when a resident receives too little of a medication. This can result from incorrect dosage calculation, missed doses, or a misunderstanding of the prescription.

Potential health consequences of underdosing include:

• Ineffective treatment. Not receiving the correct dosage can render the treatment ineffective, allowing the resident’s condition to worsen.
• Disease progression. For chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, underdosing can lead to uncontrolled symptoms and disease progression.
• Increased risk of complications. Insufficient medication levels can lead to complications, such as infections or other secondary health issues.
• Hospitalization. Inadequate medication management can result in the need for hospitalization to stabilize the resident’s condition.

Incorrect Medication

Administering the wrong medication can occur due to similar-looking drug names, labeling errors, or confusion over multiple prescriptions.

Potential health consequences of incorrect medication include:

• Allergic reactions. Giving a resident a medication they are allergic to can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Adverse drug interactions. The incorrect medication may interact negatively with other medications the resident is taking, leading to harmful side effects.
• Symptom exacerbation. The resident’s original symptoms may worsen if they do not receive the correct treatment.
• New health issues. The incorrect medication can introduce new health problems, further complicating the resident’s medical condition.

Missed Doses

Missed doses happen when staff fail to administer a scheduled medication. This can occur due to forgetfulness, poor communication, or understaffing.

Potential health consequences of missed doses include:

• Treatment interruption. Missing doses can disrupt the effectiveness of a treatment regimen, causing symptoms to return or worsen.
• Withdrawal symptoms. For certain medications, sudden discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound effects.
• Disease relapse. Infections or chronic conditions may relapse if medications are not administered consistently.
• Emergency situations. Missing critical doses of medication, such as insulin for diabetics, can lead to emergencies requiring immediate medical intervention.

Improper Administration

Improper administration involves giving a medication incorrectly, such as crushing a pill that should be taken whole or administering medication via the wrong route (for example, orally instead of intravenously).

Potential health consequences of improper administration include:

• Reduced efficacy. The medication may not work as intended if it is not administered correctly.
• Injury. Improper administration can cause physical harm, such as tissue damage from incorrect injection techniques.
• Side effects. Incorrect administration can increase the likelihood of side effects or reduce the intended benefits of the medication.
• Complications. Improper techniques can lead to complications, such as infections at the injection site.