5 Warning Signs of Negligence in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities: What Families Should Look For

When entrusting a loved one to a drug rehabilitation facility, families expect a safe environment conducive to recovery. Unfortunately, not all facilities maintain the standard of care legally required to protect their patients. At Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP, we’ve represented numerous families who have lost loved ones due to negligence in Georgia rehabilitation centers.

Here are five critical warning signs that could indicate a facility is falling short of their duty of care – information that could potentially save lives.

1. Absence of Emergency Response Protocols

The most alarming red flag is a facility’s inability to articulate clear emergency response protocols. Every rehabilitation center should have:

• Written procedures for handling medical emergencies, especially overdoses
• Staff trained to respond to emergencies
• Immediate access to life-saving medications like Naloxone (Narcan)

If a facility seems hesitant when asked about these protocols or cannot produce documentation of their emergency procedures, this may indicate they are unprepared for the very emergencies they should be most equipped to handle.

2. Inadequate Staff Training and Credentials

The quality of care at rehabilitation facilities directly relates to the qualifications of their staff. Warning signs include:

• Absence of medical professionals (doctors, nurses) on-site or on-call
• Low staff-to-patient ratios, especially during overnight hours
• Lack of specific training in substance abuse and overdose recognition
• High staff turnover rates

Many negligence cases stem from insufficiently trained personnel who fail to recognize the early signs of an overdose or medical emergency.

3. Limited or No Access to Emergency Medical Equipment

Facilities serving individuals with substance use disorders should be equipped with essential emergency medical equipment:

• Naloxone (Narcan) in sufficient quantities
• Basic first aid supplies
• Monitoring equipment

The absence of Naloxone, in particular, represents a significant breach in the standard of care for rehabilitation facilities. This life-saving medication can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses and should be readily available in multiple locations throughout any facility treating individuals with substance use disorders.

4. Poor Documentation and Communication Practices

Proper documentation is a critical component of patient safety. Warning signs include:

• Inconsistent or incomplete intake assessments
• Spotty record-keeping regarding medication administration
• Limited communication with families about treatment progress
• Resistance to sharing information about facility policies

Comprehensive documentation ensures that all staff members have the information they need to provide appropriate care. Facilities that treat documentation as an afterthought often display the same cavalier attitude toward other essential safety measures.

5. Lack of Individualized Treatment Plans

Quality rehabilitation centers recognize that addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Red flags include:

• Generic treatment protocols applied to all patients
• Little assessment of co-occurring mental health conditions
• Minimal involvement of medical doctors in treatment planning
• Absence of discharge planning and aftercare coordination

Facilities that fail to tailor their approach to each individual’s specific needs may be more focused on processing patients through their system than providing effective, safe care.

Taking Action

If you’ve observed any of these warning signs at a facility where your loved one is receiving treatment:

1. Document your concerns in writing
2. Request a meeting with facility leadership
3. Consider seeking alternative treatment options if necessary
4. Understand your loved one’s rights as a patient

In cases where negligence has already resulted in harm, legal remedies may be available. Georgia law provides recourse for families whose loved ones have suffered due to substandard care in rehabilitation settings.

How Our Firm Can Help

At Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP, we have extensive experience representing families who have lost loved ones due to negligence in drug rehabilitation facilities across Georgia. We understand the unique pain of losing someone who was actively seeking help for their addiction.

Our attorneys work with expert witnesses who specialize in addiction treatment standards to build compelling cases against negligent facilities. Through our efforts, we have secured substantial settlements for families affected by preventable overdoses in rehabilitation settings.

If you believe your loved one has been harmed by negligent practices at a rehabilitation facility, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. Time limitations apply to medical malpractice and wrongful death claims in Georgia, so it’s important to reach out promptly to preserve your legal rights.

This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.