▪︎ Monitor Alarms Turned Off Result in Catastrophic Cases!

Nursing Law Center

I have periodically been involved in cases where monitor alarms have been silenced, resulting in catastrophic injuries to the patient. In the most recent case I was involved in regarding this issue, a 40 y.o. patient who was hospitalized for pancreatitis suffered an unwitnessed cardiac arrest, but no one knew it because the cardiac monitor alarms had been turned off. This patient was resuscitated but was left in a minimally conscious state. There really is no viable defense in my opinion in cases like this where the alarms have been turned off deliberately.

Recent Case Example: A recent $11.9 million settlement in the case of a 20 y.o. woman who suffered catastrophic harm during childbirth at a Medical Center highlights critical legal and ethical issues for nurses. The case exposed significant failures in patient monitoring, communication, and institutional oversight, reinforcing the essential role of nurses in patient advocacy and safety.

Key Legal Issues for Nurses:

  1. Patient Monitoring & Alarm Management
    • Testimony revealed that none of the nurses or other O.R. staff saw or heard the Mindray DPM 7 monitor’s alarms, which were allegedly silenced by the anesthesiologist.
    • Lesson: Nurses must ensure that vital sign monitoring systems are properly functioning and actively respond to any signs of distress, even if an alarm is absent.
  2. Duty to Advocate & Report Unsafe Practices
    • The anesthesiologist involved had a history of questionable practice, yet remained on staff. A nurse reportedly spoke to E.M.’s fiancé about filing a complaint due to the physician’s harsh communication.
    • Lesson: Nurses have a duty to escalate concerns about unsafe providers through proper reporting channels, ensuring that patient safety is prioritized over institutional culture.
  3. Recognizing Signs of Distress & Immediate Action
    • The lawsuit alleged that medical staff did not immediately recognize E.M.’s distress, leading to a delayed response to a fatal event.
    • Lesson: Timely recognition and escalation of patient deterioration are crucial. Nurses should voice concerns if a patient exhibits signs of distress, even if other providers do not immediately act.
  4. Documentation & Legal Protections
    • The hospital was accused of systemic failures and withholding documents during litigation.
    • Lesson: Accurate and thorough documentation protects both patients and nurses. If unsafe conditions or concerns arise, written records can serve as critical evidence in legal proceedings.

This case serves as a reminder of the critical role nurses play in preventing medical errors, advocating for patient safety, and upholding professional and ethical standards in healthcare.

For additional information on topics related to this I recommend the following CE courses:

➡️ 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]

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