In West Virginia, an assisted living community was named in a lawsuit claiming injury to a former resident after “incorrect” medications were administered. The suit is being watched as it has implications for assisted living operators across the country.

The plaintiff claims that the polypharmacy effects of medication mismanagement caused a decline in the resident’s condition, including “recurrent falls, mental anguish, physical pain, and suffering,” according to the complaint. The plaintiff maintains that the defendants’ negligence caused the resident and her family harm and is seeking “compensatory and punitive damages.”

Operators can reduce risk by taking advantage of long-term care (LTC) pharmacies, who are experienced in working with facilities and physicians to effectively monitor and manage medications and deprescribe unecessary or ineffective ones in this more medically challenging population. Through interdisciplinary team participation and regular medication regimen reviews, specially trained consultants can help facilities  eliminate potentially inappropriate medications to reduce adverse events and promote positive outcomes.

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