Vienna nursing home: 20 residents given wrong medication

A senior care facility in Vienna has admitted that 20 residents received incorrect medications over an extended period, according to a statement issued by the Fonds Kuratorium Wiener Pensionisten-Wohnhäuser (KWP), Häuser zum Leben. The incident occurred at one of the organization’s facilities located in the Leopoldstadt district. The KWP announced the issue via a press release on Monday, revealing that the error was identified through internal investigations. The Austrian State Prosecutor's Office in Vienna is currently reviewing a factual description of the situation, as stated by spokesperson Nina Bussek of the office. She did not provide further details. A spokeswoman for the Häuser zum Leben confirmed that the factual description was voluntarily submitted to the prosecutor’s office. Both the team leader of the outpatient team and the director of the facility have been released from their duties. Further disciplinary actions are pending, with the organization referring to the incident as a case of “personal failure.” According to information provided by the APA news agency, the affected residents and their families were informed of the situation. However, the details remain limited. It appears that the change in leadership within the facility may have been the sole focus of the communication, with the residents themselves not being given specific reasons for the errors. Two individuals are still undergoing laboratory tests to rule out any health consequences, particularly concerning the pain medication Seractil. In this case, the dosage was altered from three times daily to twice daily, deviating from the prescribed regimen. Additionally, instead of a vitamin D preparation, another variant of the same product in liquid form was administered. Another medication intended to treat an overactive bladder was not dispensed despite a medical prescription. Some drugs were also given at different times than scheduled, such as midday instead of evening, or continued to be administered even after they had been discontinued. The Häuser zum Leben has committed to implementing the planned steps for clarification as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Christian Hennefeind, the organization’s managing director, expressed regret over the incidents, stating that the safety of the residents should always be the top priority. He emphasized that such occurrences should never happen. Health city councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ), who also serves as president of the Fonds Kuratorium Wiener Pensionisten-Wohnhäuser, Häuser zum Leben, called the incidents “unacceptable.” He reiterated that the organization must carry out the planned measures for clarification promptly and comprehensively. This marks the first time such an incident has occurred since March 2025, when a complaint was filed regarding similar issues. At that time, the organization investigated the matter but found the previous actions insufficient, as revealed by the spokeswoman. The incidents came to light during the absence of the director of the Leopoldau facility. The deputy director was alerted to irregularities in medication administration, prompting an immediate review of the drug supply process. Following the discovery of these issues at the Leopoldau facility, an additional control level has been introduced. As of now, each individual medication will undergo an extra check. This measure aims to restore the quality assurance processes for medication management in the Leopoldau facility, consistent with procedures followed in other homes. Whether the staff faces criminal consequences remains unclear. A request for information from the press office of the Häuser zum Leben was still pending as of Monday. The underlying causes of the incidents are yet to be fully determined. An extensive external investigation into the incidents, including all relevant documentation, is already underway.