Pharmacists Fail To Notice Unsafe Medication Combinations

Nursing home abuses are a huge problem in care facilities across the United States.

There have been many cases of nursing home abuse in the news lately. Another issue has become widespread in California – pharmacists allowing elderly nursing home residents to have dangerous combinations of antipsychotic drugs.

The issue of pharmacists who have been tasked with reviewing the medications of these nursing home residents making crucial errors has become a major problem in California. Pharmacists have either approved or just simply overlooked cases where unsafe combinations of medications were prescribed or were prescribed in doses that were questionable. Combinations of these medications can cause death or seizures and puts elderly patients at an increased risk of health crises, says the public health department.

A doctor who is vice president of the American Medical Directors Association and a geriatrician thinks the problem of lack of attention by pharmacists who should be carefully reviewing these cases, correlates with nursing homes failing to fairly compensate pharmacists for their services at a fair market rate. The reality is that at most of the homes where these errors occurred, pharmacists were not being adequately compensated and that they were being paid at significantly under fair market value. While the average pay rate is at $56.29/hr, it was not unusual to find that pharmacists were paid $11/hr.

This is a significant problem, says a lawyer with the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, because “When pharmacy services are provided below cost, the pharmacist may be recouping the losses by making drug recommendations according to financial incentives instead of the best interests of the residents. When their independence is compromised, the integrity of their protective function is eviscerated.”

Many nursing home patients are entirely dependent on caregivers for their medication. There are usually many medications prescribed to elderly patients. Allowing unsafe combinations of medications can be added to the list of things that can go wrong with medications when it comes to nursing homes. Some nursing homes have knowingly over-medicated residents as a means of chemical restraint, or have accidentally given patients the wrong medication. Both of these have the potential to be deadly, as correct medication and dosage is crucial in maintaining the health of many of these individuals.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuses are a huge problem in care facilities across the United States. It is important to be cautious and notice signs of medication problems as well as other issues. Look for changes in behavior, mood, unusual symptoms, and increased lethargy or confusion. If you suspect something is wrong with the medication your family member or loved one is receiving in a nursing home, you should have a doctor double check the medications.

If you suspect or know that there are abuses taking place, you should also contact a nursing home abuse attorney. Attorneys who have expertise in investigating and handling nursing home abuse cases understand how to advocate for your family member and how to proceed in holding the accountable parties responsible for their actions. Nursing home abuse attorneys are skilled in handling abuse and wrongful death cases. Calling attention to these cases and holding facilities responsible helps to protect more residents.

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