Illinois Nursing Home Failed to Correctly Administer Meds

 Posted on February 21, 2025 in Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

During the fourth quarter of 2024, a Gibson City nursing home was fined $77,200 by the Illinois Department of Health for violations that led to the death of a resident. The resident died after being taken to a local hospital for Warfarin toxicity and lethal bleeding. After the death, it was determined that the nursing home had not been administering the Warfarin as ordered and had also failed to monitor the resident’s lab results.

The same nursing home was also cited for failing to prevent a fall through proper supervision and failure to safely transfer a resident when a resident's foot became caught in the mechanical geriatric chair, causing a fracture. Older adults often have long-term or chronic illnesses that require prescribed medications to treat. In fact, the average nursing home resident is prescribed seven to eight medications daily.

Nursing home neglect and abuse occur when these necessary medications are not administered correctly. If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect, speaking to a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorney can help you understand your rights and the rights of your loved one. While a monetary settlement may not change what happened, it can help ensure your elderly loved one is properly taken care of in the future.

Nursing Home Residents and Medication Errors

Although not every medication error will be serious, some can have long-term or fatal consequences. The most common types of medication errors in nursing homes include:

• Giving nursing home residents medications that are not prescribed to them.
• Administering too much or too little of a prescribed medication
• Failing to administer prescribed medications on a regular basis
• Administering the wrong medication to a nursing home resident.

Nursing home staff should not administer new medications to a resident without informing a family member and should keep meticulous records regarding each patient’s medications. Staff should have at least a basic knowledge of the patient’s medical history so they can get help if side effects occur. Staff should administer medications as per the doctor’s instructions and should follow medication error reporting guidelines.

What is a "Med Pass?"

When nursing staff dispenses medications to staff members, using a cart and going from one resident to the next, it is known as a "med pass." Med passes are usually done only by licensed nurses, although some states allow unlicensed staff members to provide medications under the supervision of a nurse.

Because med passes require organization, documentation, and several hours of medication administration, nursing homes may slip into lax habits that can put nursing home residents at risk. Medication errors can occur when medications are improperly prepared or administered, IVs are not regularly checked to ensure they are working properly, antibiotics are not administered for severe bedsores, and medications are given without checking for side effects.

Any one of these errors can place residents at risk for severe complications or even death. As an example, antipsychotic drugs used to treat dementia place older adults at an increased risk of stroke and death, so even the smallest error in one of these medications can lead to traumatic outcomes.

Nursing Home Medical Malpractice

In some instances, medication errors on the part of healthcare providers in nursing homes can result in a medical malpractice claim. Cases that involve medication diversions (stealing meds for the person’s own use or to sell to others), medication "borrowing" from one resident to another, and poor medication management can be considered medical malpractice, as well as nursing home abuse.  

Contact a Chicago, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Finding out your elderly loved one has been mistreated, or there have been serious medication errors can be devastating. A Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorney from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC will ensure you understand the process of a nursing home abuse and/or medical malpractice lawsuit and will be by your side as your advocate from start to finish. Call 312-236-6324 to schedule your free consultation.