Common Types of Nursing Home Neglect: Medication Errors

by

Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated September 14, 2015 In Personal Injury

There are many ways an elderly patient’s health and safety can be compromised by caregivers, but some of the most common mistakes are medication errors. The Nashville nursing home abuse lawyers at Ponce Law explain this can occur when a patient is given too much or too little of a drug, or when the wrong medication is administered.

Such negligence led to criminal charges against a Franklin County caregiver after she failed to administer a powerful narcotic painkiller to a patient. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began looking into the incident on June 26 after receiving complaints of the mistake.

According to WKRN 2 News, the caregiver misplaced the patient’s prescription hydrocodone pills. In order to cover up the mistake, the caregiver then administered the patient another medication as a replacement.

The discovery of the mistake led to the caregiver being charged with neglect, felony delivery of a Schedule III narcotic, and casual exchange.

The incident highlights the importance of patients and their families knowing nursing home resident’s rights.

At Ponce Law, we’re here to answer any questions you may have about nursing home abuse or neglect in Tennessee. We can be reached anytime—day or night—by calling 615-244-4325.