One of the lesser-known forms of nursing home abuse in South Carolina occurs when staff members do not administer the proper dosage of medicine to nursing home residents or make other errors when administering medication. This can have harsh effectson an elder because receiving the right amount of medicine is crucial to keeping them healthy at this point in their life. If a nursing home resident does not receive the correct dosage of medicine, it could result in injuries or even death. Two common causes of medication errors in South Carolina are the fact that multiple doctors may be treating the residents and that some nursing homes are underfunded and cannot afford systems that ensure that the proper dosage is given.
The following are examples of instances where medication errors may take place in South Carolina nursing homes:
- Failure to monitor the effects of a medication, including adverse reactions
- Failure to continue medication after original dosage
- Uneducated staff members
- Understaffed nursing homes
- Incorrect assessment of the patient’s health
- Administering the wrong form of medication
- Giving the patient multiple medications that should not be taken together
- Staff members switching out medication in order to use the medication for their personal use
- Failing to give medications at the proper time
- Doubling the dosage of medication after missing a dosage
- Giving the wrong medication to a patient
As a result of these errors, South Carolina nursing home patients can experience side effects ranging from confusion and hallucinations to more serious injuries including wrongful death. There are many warning signs of nursing home abuse that you should look out for when you suspect nursing home abuse.
If you feel as though a loved one has not been receiving the correct medication or that medicine was given to them improperly, then you should consider filing a nursing home abuse claim against the nursing home. Contact a South Carolina nursing home abuse attorney today at 843-277-6061 to set up a free consultation.
