▪︎ There Are Many Things Nurses Can Do to Help Protect Themselves From Malpractice Claims
Nurses can take steps to protect themselves from negligence and malpractice claims while ensuring patient safety. Here are some of the most effective ways to minimize risks:
1. Follow Standard Procedures & Policies:
Follow facility protocols and evidence based best nursing practices. Use checklists for medication administration, wound care, and other high-risk procedures. Follow the “Five Rights” of medication administration:
-Right patient
-Right medication
-Right dose
-Right route
-Right time
2. Communicate Effectively:
Use SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) when speaking to doctors or other nurses. Confirm and repeat orders when receiving verbal instructions to avoid misinterpretation. If unsure about a medication or procedure, ask for clarification before proceeding.
3. Double-Check Medications & Treatments:
Cross-check patient ID bands before giving medication or treatment.
Be cautious when overriding automated medication dispensing systems (a factor in the RaDonda Vaught case). Use barcode scanning if available to verify correct medication administration.
Case Examples of Nurse Preventing a Medication Error
Case:
A nurse, Sarah, was about to administer Lantus insulin to a diabetic patient. However, when she checked the electronic medical record (EMR), she noticed the physician had mistakenly ordered Humalog (a fast-acting insulin) instead of Lantus (long-acting insulin).
How the Nurse Avoided Malpractice:
✅ She double-checked the physician’s order and noticed the discrepancy.
✅ She consulted the pharmacist and confirmed the mistake.
✅ She contacted the physician immediately, who corrected the order before administration.
✅ She documented the issue accurately, ensuring there was a clear record of her actions.
💡 Lesson: Always verify medications and question any unusual orders before administration.
Case:
David, an ICU nurse, was assigned to a patient receiving IV heparin (a blood thinner). While setting up the infusion, he noticed that the prescribed dose seemed too high for the patient’s weight.
How the Nurse Avoided Malpractice:
✅ He recalculated the dosage based on the patient’s weight and confirmed an error.
✅ He held the medication and called the physician for clarification.
✅ The physician corrected the order, preventing a potential overdose.
✅ David documented the intervention and informed the pharmacist.
💡 Lesson: Always double-check high-risk medications like anticoagulants, opioids, and insulin.
To learn more about these legal topics check out our courses on demand (with extensive written materials):
➡️ The Nurse’s Law School – A Practical Legal Guide for Nurses (7.6 CE Hours)
➡️ Legal Issues in Perioperative Nursing.
➡️ Legal Issues in Perinatal/OB Nursing
Sincerely,
Laurie Elston JD BSN
www.NursingLawCenter.com
Law Office of Laurie R. Elston Inc.
📞 T: (805) 481-1001
📧 Email: [email protected]
