What Types Of Medical Malpractice Are Common In Nursing Homes?
Although many people may first imagine doctors and surgeons being held liable for medical malpractice, other medical professionals can also act negligently and harm their patients. In nursing homes, it is often nurses who have more interactions with the patients than doctors and they are responsible for providing efficient and competent care to their patients.
Any time a medical professional, regardless of their position, does not provide quality care to nursing home residents, the patient can suffer serious harm. Below, our Knoxville nursing home malpractice attorney outlines some of the most common types of malpractice that occur in long-term care facilities.
Medication Errors
There are many different types of medication errors that occur in nursing homes. Residents may be given the wrong type of medication, or a healthcare professional in the facility may administer the wrong dosage. Nurses and doctors may also forget to administer medication at the appropriate time. Any of these errors can result in extreme harm to residents.
Patients who do not receive the right dosage may not receive proper treatment for their ailments, and receiving too much of a medication can result in overdose. Residents who are given the wrong medication may suffer from an interaction with other drugs they are taking, and they will not receive the proper drugs they need.
Delayed or Missed Diagnosis
Just like in other medical facilities, doctors and nurses may delay a diagnosis, or fail to make one altogether. Not only will a delayed or missed diagnosis cause a nursing home resident to become sicker, it can also leave them feeling stressed, confused, and anxious.
Improperly Documenting a Patient’s Chart
The patient charts in a nursing home are critical to making sure they remain in good health. Some of the most common errors include failing to record important health or drug information, failing to document prior treatments given, and failing to record when medications have been administered. When a patient’s chart does not include all of the pertinent information, it is difficult for another medical professional to fully understand the patient’s history, which can result in serious harm.
Procedural Errors
Procedural errors are those that include improperly inserting an IV or the improper placement of a catheter. Although these mistakes may result in minor harm to younger patients, for the elderly, they can result in grave harm. Even something as small as a bruise may indicate that a senior resident is suffering from internal bleeding or other damage.
Our Nursing Home Malpractice Attorney in Knoxville Can Advise On Your Case
If you have a loved one in a nursing home and suspect that they have been a victim of medical malpractice, you need sound legal advice. At Atkins Brezina, PLLC, our Knoxville nursing home malpractice attorney can review the facts of your case and help you and your loved one obtain the full compensation your family deserves. Our attorney practices with an MD/JD so we can provide the best medical and legal advice. Call us now at 865-500-3121 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
tn.gov/health/health-professionals/hcf-main/filing-a-complaint.html
