Common Medication Errors in Assisted Living Centers

Medication errors, such as providing the wrong prescription, providing the wrong dose and unable to identify negative side effects, are some of the most common healthcare errors. While they can occur in any healthcare setting, a new review shows that they are particularly frequent in assisted living centers. The review, prepared by U-T Watch dog and the CHCF Center for Health Reporting at the University of Southern California, discovered at least 80 instances where assisted living centers ignored serious health problems, applied wrong medications, or otherwise did not provide proper medical care. Even more concerning, the research exposed 27 fatalities from injuries and neglect at centers located in San Diego County.

assisted_living_centersAccording to UT-San Diego, “Regulators discovered four patient medication errors during a visit to a home in Oceanside, such as one case in which a citizen was given four times the recommended amount. The home was penalized $150, the maximum allowed by state law.” In another occurrence, a La Jolla patient required treatment in the E. R. after being given a medicine intended for another citizen. The short-term caseworker providing the drug recognized the recipient by his first name only.

For San Diego medical malpractice lawyers, the review is worrying, particularly given that sufferers in assisted living centers are some of the most fragile. For tips to protect you and your loved ones from this type of carelessness, there are plenty of articles that can be found in the internet. You can also consult a physician regarding this matter. If you or someone you love has experienced from healthcare neglect, don’t think twice to contact a medical malpractice attorney for a free assessment.