This summer, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services called for closer scrutiny of nursing homes. They are asking health inspectors in Chicago and nationwide to be on the lookout for errors by nursing homes in dispensing the blood thinner Coumadin and related anticoagulants.
Nursing home abuse comes in many forms, and even essential medications can become dangerous drugs when they are mismanaged. Anticoagulants like Coumadin or its generic, warfarin, have been identified as a class of drugs commonly implicated in “adverse drug events” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
These drugs have definite life-saving benefits for those who need them, but the dosages are very specific. Without proper monitoring, an incorrect dose can lead to life-threatening events. Patients who are given too much of the drug are put at risk for internal bleeding while those who receive too little are likely to develop blood clots or strokes. When you consider that about 1 in 6 nursing home patients are taking an anticoagulant, the risks of mismanagement become clear.
If you or a loved one has been injured by drug management errors, our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers can help. Please call us today at 312-945-7464 for your free consultation. We serve clients from Aurora, Chicago, and the surrounding areas of Illinois.