If you work as a nurse, you are probably constantly looking for ways to prevent nursing negligence. It can be a tricky topic because there are a number of different factors that can contribute to negligent behavior, such as gross negligence, inadequate communication, or failure to properly prioritize a patient’s care.
Medication error
Medication errors are among the most common acts of nursing negligence. In fact, a study found that one child was given the wrong medication every eight minutes. While a large number of these errors were caused by caregiver errors, some nurses also committed negligent actions.
A medication error is a deviation from the physician’s instructions, whether in writing or verbally. It can be as simple as prescribing a drug for the wrong condition or as complex as delivering the wrong dosage.
There are several steps a nurse can take to prevent medication errors. First, review all orders and make sure they are accurate. This includes assessing whether the medication order is written correctly, what route of administration it follows, and how many doses are prescribed.
Another key step to preventing medication errors is monitoring your patients. If you detect a patient’s symptoms deteriorating, call for help. You should also document the changes you notice in a patient’s condition.
Failure to explain procedures
Nursing negligence is a serious matter. It is a violation of the standard of care, which is based on professional practice guidelines. Nurses are expected to do their best to protect their patients and promote good outcomes.
One common example of nursing negligence is failure to explain procedures. It is crucial for nurses to explain treatment plans and medications to patients. Often, they will also inform them when it is time to follow up with the doctor.
Another act of nursing negligence involves failing to notify the patient of changes in their condition. If a nurse fails to give the patient adequate instructions regarding how to take their medication or when to follow up with the physician, they may be responsible for malpractice.
Not being able to respond in a timely manner to the patient’s needs can lead to injury or illness. When a nurse is unable to deliver care to a patient, they should notify the charge nurse or a supervisor. This should include documentation of the incident.
Prioritizing patient care
Nursing negligence involves acts that result in unintended harm to the patient. These are the same acts that constitute malpractice.
Nursing negligence can include failure to administer medications and medication errors. To prevent a mistake, nurses must review all medication orders and verify that the physician will accept generic substitutions.
Negligence can also occur when a nurse fails to advocate for the patient. For example, a patient may suffer adverse health consequences because the nurse didn’t report a change in the patient’s condition. In order to prevent negligence, nurses must make sure that the patient receives appropriate care and inform the patient of his or her treatment plan.
Nursing negligence can also be caused by failure to maintain medical equipment. Most healthcare facilities have a protocol for testing and calibrating their equipment. If the equipment isn’t up to par, it can lead to cross-contamination, injury, and even legal action.
Nurses should also be aware of the nonmaleficence principle. The nonmaleficence principle states that medical professionals should not harm a patient. It is one of the most important medical principles.
Gross negligence
If you or a loved one has been injured or otherwise harmed by poor nursing care, you may be able to take legal action. However, the legal process is not always straightforward. It is important to obtain full information and consult an attorney before taking action.
Nurses are held to a high standard of professional conduct. Their duty is to promote patient safety and provide quality patient care. Even when they are doing their job well, mistakes can occur.
There are several types of negligence that can occur. Medical errors are common and often result in injuries. A nurse who fails to document important patient information or administer the wrong medication could face legal ramifications.
Medical equipment failures can also lead to patient injury. Some hospitals have protocols to test equipment and maintain it in good working order.
Taking proactive measures to ensure patient safety can reduce the chances of a nurse committing negligence. Nurses should be alert for changes in vital signs or other issues, and they should report them to their supervisor.
