This post comes to you by way of Madison, Illinois…but it could happen anywhere.
A recently filed lawsuit claims nurses at Rosewood Care Center (Edwardsville, Ill) – a nursing home licensed by Bravo Care – administered 4 milligrams of Coumadin to a resident, despite the fact that her physician had ordered her prescription to be held because of an elevated PT/INR lab result.
The Coumadin, usually used to prevent blood clots, ended up causing the resident to experience massive rectal bleeding and to be hospitalized. In addition to her injuries, the resident suffered a noticeable decline of her prior physical condition, incurred substantial medical bills and suffered great pain and anguish, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit blames Bravo and its employees for: (1) failing to properly consult with the resident’s physician and her family members about her deteriorating condition; (2) for failing to timely report the medication error; (3) for failing to provide appropriate general nursing; (4) for failing to record the medication error; and (5) for failing to comply with a physician’s orders.
My Take: Sad but not uncommon. It is your duty to know what medications have been ordered for your loved one. Be ever vigilant….medication errors can and do kill.