Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Filed Against District of Columbia’s Capitol City Rehab And Healthcare Center, PharmScript LLC, and Other Defendants for Medical Malpractice and Gross Negligence In The Administration of Medication.

WASHINGTON – December 30, 2023 – Civil Rights Lawyers, Kim Parker, Esquire and Governor Jackson, III, Esquire, have filed a Multi-Million Dollar lawsuit in the Superior Court for The District of Columbia, on behalf of their client, Rosezena Jackson, 75, a resident of the District of Columbia, regarding the egregious medical treatment received while she was a patient at Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center, in Southeast DC. Specifically, the then 74-year-old Mrs. Jackson was a patient at Capitol City, recuperating from a blood clot. For reasons unknown to her, Mrs. Jackson was provided another patient’s medication, to which she was highly allergic. Consequently, Mrs. Jackson suffered an allergic reaction, resulting in her being intubated and placed in a medically induced coma, and spending 23 days in the hospital. In addition, her injuries were so severe, she had to have significant rehabilitation, including speech therapy. She will require future medical care for the remainder of her life.

Attorney Kim Parker stated, “Pharmacy errors in nursing homes and hospitals are preventable, yet all too common. In this case, Capitol City’s negligence caused our client to suffer tremendously, and they tried to blame her rather than take responsibility. We will seek justice for Mrs. Jackson and her family.”

Attorney Governor Jackson, III added, “Capitol City has a troubling history of subpar care and errors that have harmed vulnerable patients. We hope this lawsuit sends a message that this behavior will not be tolerated, and prompts needed changes at the facility.”

The Complaint seeks $35,000,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. The Complaint also names Jacob Karmel, Moshe Stern and Alex Englard, the Managing Members of Capitol, who are being sued in their official and individual capacities.

Prescription errors in nursing homes are far too common and can have devastating effects on vulnerable residents. According to a study published in JAMA, nearly one in five medication orders in nursing homes contained errors. These errors ranged from incorrect dosages to wrong drugs prescribed for residents.

The consequences of these pharmacy mistakes can be severe. Adverse drug events are the cause of over 125,000 deaths per year in the U.S., with older adults being particularly susceptible. Nursing home residents typically have multiple health conditions and take an average of nine medications daily, which raises the risk of dangerous drug interactions when prescriptions are wrong.
Some of the most common types of prescription errors in nursing homes involve:

• Incorrect dosages. Nursing staff may misread doctors’ handwriting on orders or incorrectly program an automated dispensing system. This can easily lead to overdoses or under-treatment of conditions.
• Wrong medications. Nursing homes often have similar-sounding drug names, which staff may confuse when filling prescriptions. This may cause residents to receive the wrong drug entirely.
• Missing medications. Prescriptions may not be renewed on time, leading to gaps in treatment and exacerbation of medical issues.
• Drug interactions. With so many medications taken by residents, even small errors in prescribing can cause harmful interactions that nurses may not catch.

To reduce prescription errors in nursing homes, experts recommend several strategies. Facilities should implement: electronic prescribing to replace handwritten orders, automated medication dispensing systems, double checks by two nurses of high-risk prescriptions, routine reviews of residents’ medication lists for interactions, and ongoing staff education on safe prescribing practices.

In the end, nursing homes must make reducing pharmacy mistakes among their highest priorities. Even minor prescription errors for vulnerable residents can have life-threatening consequences that facilities have a duty to prevent through improved systems and vigilance. Residents and their families deserve nothing less.