Medication errors in Illinois nursing homes are leading to hospitalizations for dangerously low blood sugar, visual hallucinations and labored breathing, according to information obtained by NBC 5 Investigates via a search of public records.
State health inspectors documented 384 nursing home medication errors since 2011. Two residents of care facilities died after recorded medication errors and one resident's untreated infection led to an amputation, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data.
"You're going to have errors, unfortunately. But we hope that there are no errors due to negligence," said IDPH director LaMar Hasbrouck, MD.
Tanya Karney-Brown moved her brother, Joseph, into The Renaissance Park South nursing home in Roseland back in 2005 after Joseph had suffered a stroke and a heart attack.
"We checked it out. Everything was fine. So we felt that would be the perfect place," Karney-Brown said.
Two years later Joseph was diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. Karney-Brown said Joseph responded well to his cancer medication, Gleevac.
Months later, however, Joseph's condition changed.
His family discovered the nursing home did not give Joseph his cancer medication for nearly one year. According to a lawsuit filed by the family, the nursing home failed to get Joseph back to his oncologist for follow up appointments.
By the time the error was noticed, Joseph's cancer had spread. Joseph passed away in early 2010.
"He could have been still here, you know, doing what he does best and getting better," Karney-Brown said. "But now unfortunately, he's not here anymore."
Joseph's family filed a lawsuit and reached a settlement with the nursing home.
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Nursing Home Medication Errors Leading to Hospitalizations
It may be that a computerized program can control the dispensing and stop the errors.
ReplyDeleteThis is why family has to be on their toes if they have someone in a hospital or nursing home.
ReplyDeleteThere is a better way with medications delivered in daily dose containers I understand Walgreens is participating in this process -- check it out -- that makes dispensing meds more reliable and easier for the caregivers or nurses giving YOU the opportunity to review meds dispensing.
ReplyDeleteI have many issues with the failures of Illinois Department of Health related to WWII Veterans care and mistreatment along with elder abuse at a well known Chicago Hospital by management level case manager whose actions and inactions show the social worker case manager did not have the patient's best interest or well being as her goal.
Thelma is correct eyes wide open.
I will add: when your elderly loved one is hospitalized call in the family troops with their sleeping bags for the duration.
#1 issue is do not leave the hospital until you are certain that the patient is 'admitted' and get it in writing or are they secretly 'under observation' under the oh what a surprise under the: self pay plan with no remedy to correct the matter.
#2 and if your loved one is on Regular Medicare or Medicare DisAdvantage Plan all will claim they have government immunities for any and all wrongful actions and inactions including the case manger responsible for her patients.
#3 I strongly suggest reading related IL state statutes and government agency websites - now - before your loved one or friend is hospitalized, a resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility - you think there is a protective plan in place - you are mistaken.
#4 I strongly suggest getting educated as much as possible reading related blogs and websites related to elder abuse.
#5 Before all of the above Power of Attorney for Health Care and Property -- in Illinois all POA's are considered Durable do it now before the need arises and
#6 keep in mind hospitals and other health care facilities have, can and will file a petition for guardianship of person and estate on their patient / resident IF it's in their best interests.
As our parents and relatives age, sooner or later you will be faced with a situation and it's best not to be blindsided and rolled over at the worst time when your loved ones need you for comfort and support the last thing you need are surprises, problems with the health care facilities and that includes probate court battles at YOUR expense.