Nursing Homes Fined For Medication Errors, Fall-Related Injuries

Four nursing homes have been fined by the state in connection with medication errors or residents who fell, broke bones or wandered outside alone. On March 15, Leeway Inc. of New Haven was fined $3,000 in connection with a resident who was hospitalized on Feb. 23 with low levels of phosphate and potassium after a medication error. The resident was not given seven doses of potassium chloride despite a doctor’s order, the state Department of Health citation said. A registered nurse said later that she was tired and missed the order, the citation said.

Residents’ Absences, Injuries Result In Nursing Home Fines

The state Department of Public Health has fined six nursing homes more than $1,000 each for incidents that included residents leaving the homes unattended and falls that resulted in injuries. On July 18, Danbury Health Care Center was fined $1,300 in connection with a resident who left the home in a wheelchair and was bruised on the hand. The resident, who had dementia, was found 25 feet away. DPH found that the facility’s assessments of the risk of the resident trying to leave the facility were completed without the oversight of a registered nurse. The home was also cited in connection with a resident who was found outside smoking several times despite the home’s policy that active smokers are not admitted.