Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Highlights Dangers of Medication Errors at Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center in DC
A recent multi-million dollar lawsuit filed in Washington, DC, is shining a spotlight on the devastating impact of medication errors in nursing home and rehabilitation settings—a warning that’s especially relevant for families in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Details of the Case: Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center
On December 30, 2023, attorney Kim Parker, Esquire filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Rosezena Jackson, a 75-year-old DC resident. The suit targets Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center, PharmScript LLC, and several managing members, alleging medical malpractice and gross negligence in the administration of medication.
According to the complaint, Mrs. Jackson was recovering from a blood clot at Capitol City when she was mistakenly given another patient’s medication—a drug to which she was highly allergic. The error triggered a severe allergic reaction, requiring her to be intubated and placed in a medically induced coma for 23 days. Her injuries necessitated significant rehabilitation, including speech therapy, and she will require ongoing medical care for the rest of her life.
The lawsuit seeks $35 million in compensatory and punitive damages, and names facility managers Jacob Karmel, Moshe Stern, and Alex Englard as defendants in both their official and individual capacities.
Medication Mistakes: A Widespread and Preventable Problem
Prescription errors are not isolated incidents but a widespread issue in nursing homes and rehab centers. Published research in JAMA has found that nearly 20% of medication orders in nursing homes contain errors—ranging from incorrect dosages and wrong drugs to omitted or missed prescriptions.
Older adults are especially vulnerable: adverse drug events are responsible for more than 125,000 deaths annually in the United States, and the average nursing home resident takes around nine medications every day. This raises the risk of dangerous drug interactions or life-threatening mistakes when medication systems break down.
How Medication Errors Happen
Some of the most common types of prescription and medication errors in skilled nursing facilities include:
- Incorrect dosages: Misreading a doctor’s order or programming errors in automated dispensing can quickly lead to overdoses or under-dosing.
- Wrong medications: Similar drug names or look-alike packaging can cause staff to administer the wrong drug entirely.
- Missed medications: Delays in renewing prescriptions or lapses in administration can leave residents without essential treatments.
- Dangerous drug interactions: With so many medications in use, even small prescribing errors can lead to harmful or fatal interactions.
Preventing Pharmacy Mistakes in Nursing Homes
Experts recommend that nursing homes and rehab centers implement robust safeguards to prevent these errors, including:
- Electronic prescribing to replace handwritten orders
- Automated medication dispensing systems
- Double-checks by two nurses for high-risk medications
- Routine reviews of each resident’s medication regimen for potential interactions
- Ongoing staff training on medication safety
Facilities like Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center have a legal and ethical duty to make medication safety a top priority. Even a single lapse can result in catastrophic harm for residents and their families.
What Families in DC and Maryland Should Do
If you suspect a loved one has suffered from a medication error or medical malpractice in a nursing home or rehabilitation facility:
- Request and review medical records related to medication administration.
- Document any changes in your loved one’s condition and keep detailed notes of what you observe.
- Report your concerns to facility management and, if necessary, to state regulatory authorities.
- Consult a medical malpractice attorney with experience in nursing home cases to protect your loved one’s rights.
The Law Offices of Kim Parker, P.A. is actively pursuing justice for victims of nursing home negligence and medication errors in the District of Columbia and Maryland. If you have concerns about care in a nursing home or rehab facility, call 410-234-2621 for a confidential evaluation.
Medication safety is not optional—demand accountability and ensure your loved one receives the safe, attentive care they deserve.