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Special Edition Legal Case Study
Nursing Professionals and Medical Malpractice: A Case Study with Risk Management Strategies
Medical malpractice claims can be asserted against any healthcare provider. Although there may be a perception that physicians are held responsible for the majority of lawsuits, the reality is that nursing professionals are more frequently finding themselves defending the care they provide.
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Case Study: Failure to Report Patient's Deteriorating Condition to the Attending Physician and Administration of Anxiolytic Medication in the Presence of Respiratory Distress A 28 year-old woman was admitted in labor with her first child. Her pregnancy had been uneventful, and she was at 39 weeks gestation upon admission. Two hours after admission, the fetus showed signs of distress, and a low transverse Caesarian Section delivery was performed. The obstetrician's post-operative note indicated there was no unusual bleeding but noted a slight possibility of some uterine atony.... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations |
Read Previous Issues of the NSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Nurse Edition |
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Case Study: Failure to Properly Assess Patient; Failure to Properly Monitor Patient's Vital Signs and Intake/Output; Failure to Recognize and Respond to Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis; Failure to Communicate with the Patient's Physician; and Failure to Direct the Patient to Emergency Care The decedent plaintiff was a 59 year old patient who had undergone inpatient bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy three days before being discharged to home care. Discharge orders included a home care referral for wound care and assessment of perceived changes in the patient's mental status. The defendant nurse practitioner was a contracted staff member of the home care agency that was providing the patient's home care.... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations |
Read Previous Issues of the NSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Nurse Nurse Practitioner Edition |
February 2010 Legal Case Study |
| Nurse Administers Part of Epinephrine Intravenously Instead of the Ordered Subcutaneous Delivery - Woman Kept Overnight for Observation - Claims Heart Damage - Defendant Claims All Tests Were Normal - Defense Verdict. |
The plaintiff, in her forties, went to a hospital in April 2006 with complaints of a rash. She was seen by emergency room physician, who ordered Benadryl and Decadran intravenously, Epinephrine subcutaneously and Zantac orally. Nurse administered the Benadryl and Decadran and began given the Epinephrine intravenously instead of subcutaneously. As soon as the Epinephrine began the plaintiff reported feeling strange. The nurse stopped the administration, having given the plaintiff about .1 milligram. The nurse noted her error. The plaintiff reported feeling dizzy with a racing heart and she was placed on oxygen and heart monitors. The nurse instructed a paramedic trainee to get the Doctor. The plaintiff was kept overnight for observation in the cardiac intensive care unit. The plaintiff alleged negligence in the mis-administration of the Epinephrine. The plaintiff maintained that she had suffered permanent heart damage from the incident, with rapid heartbeat and fatigue. The defendant claimed that the plaintiff had not suffered any damages, as she had not lost consciousness and did not complain of chest pain or shortness of breath and the appropriate response was made to the error. The plaintiff had undergone numerous tests since the incident which all indicated a normal heart and rhythm. According to a published account a defense verdict was returned. Post-trial motions were pending. With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288. |
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Recently Posted Legal Case Studies
| DESCRIPTION | |
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| Potassium Chloride by IV Drip Ordered for Woman, but Family Claims IV Push of Potassium Chloride Given - Death - $250,000 Verdict. | |
| Foley Catheter Used at Conclusion of Surgery, Instead of “In and Out” Catheter - Urethra Tear Due to Inflation of Balloon in Urethra - Multiple Procedures, Extended Hospitalization and Need for Catheterization for Life - $850,000 Gross Verdict. | |
| Failure to Perform X-Rays and Properly Diagnose Teenager's Ewing's Sarcoma - Death - Defense Verdict. | |
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| Failure to Timely Diagnose and Treat Stroke - Partial Paralysis of Arm, Aphasia, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Foot Drop - $4 Million Settlement. | |
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| Failure to Properly Assist Woman Using Bedside Commode - Commode Collapses While Woman is On It Unattended - Fractured Tibia - Defense Verdict. | |
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| Failure to Properly Monitor Child During Transport for CT Scan Following Seizure - Death - $3,662,221 Verdict. | |
| Man Calls His Physician When He Develops Paleness in Lower Leg - Speaks With Nurse - Goes to Hospital Hours Later, Where Ruptured Aneurysm in Popliteal Artery is Found - Above-Knee Amputation - Defense Verdict. | |
| Failure to Hospitalize Infant Despite Mother’s Multiple Calls and Visits to Emergency Room - Death - $4 Million Gross Verdict. | |
| Man Administered Morphine Despite Telling Nurse He Was Allergic - Nurse Claims Symptoms Described Weren't Allergy and Man Gave Consent to Injection After Explanation of Adverse Reaction and Allergy was Given - Defense Verdict. |
