Psychotropic drugs are often given to residents of nursing home without the family or power of attorney being informed.  A psychotropic drugs is classified as any drug that has capabilities of affecting the emotions, mind or behavior.  Nursing home employees are often reluctant to stop administering psychotropic drugs even when requested in Illinois.  Nursing home negligence lawyers are finding the over-medication is extremely common.

Many patients aren’t able to fully understand the risk of treatments or medications.  Informed consent in these instances is not possible.  Administering these mind altering drugs without consent of the resident or the resident’s power of attorney is a classic example of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Administration based only on physician’s orders is a growing issue.  Family members often have concerns for very good reasons and staff members can be very reluctant to fully disclose the truth when they are directly asked about the administration of a psychotropic drug.

An alarming number of nursing homes fall extremely short of legally required documentation of medication administration.  In fact, this shortcoming is one of the main items violated during annual inspections according to a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  A study by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services found 15% of consulted pharmacists found doctors were prescribing antidepressants to nursing home residents inappropriately.  In addition, one third of the pharmacists stated the prescriptions were often given without proper diagnosis and that very few physicians ensure proper levels of medication are maintained.

If you believe a loved one in a nursing home has been given a psychotropic drug unnecessarily,  or without proper evaluation, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney with experience in Illinois nursing home neglect.  This practice is unacceptable, dangerous and should not be tolerated under any circumstance.

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