Report raises concerns on blood thinners in nursing homes
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WPVI) -- A new report is raising concerns about drug errors in nursing homes.
The report focuses on blood thinners, like Coumadin - or its generic form - warfarin.
It has many benefits but as a nurse, I know it can be tricky to manage.
Too little raises the risk of blood clots, but too much can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Government inspections say in the past 3 years, at least 165 nursing home residents were hospitalized or died because of blood thinner errors.
Other studies suggest there are thousands of injuries each year which aren't reported.
Critics say these errors often get little attention, because the drugs have so many benefits.
But they say nursing homes need to do a better job at overseeing dosages and checking levels.
In our area, about 1 in 5 nursing home residents get at least one dose of blood thinners weekly.
