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Avoiding patient abandonment

Nurses pride themselves on their effective relationships with patients, including the ability to end the relationship professionally as appropriate (e.g., end of shift, completion of home therapy). However, if the nurse had a duty to care, and the patient experiences injury due to an inappropriate termination of the relationship, litigation may occur. The litigation may be in the form of civil lawsuits brought by patients or families, or even criminal prosecution. In addition, the nurse could face disciplinary action or loss of license through action taken by the state board of nursing.

Wrongful Designation Attorney's Designation of A Testifying Expert Without the Expert Knowledge

At a recent annual conference of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants (“AAIMCo”), the agenda included a session on an emerging issue which AAIMCo refers to as Wrongful Designation that expert witnesses may need to pay close attention to. Wrongful Designation is when an attorney designates an individual as a testifying expert without the expert’s knowledge.
 

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to warn patient of dangers of testosterone treatment

This case study involves a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who owned an adult wellness clinic, which specialized in hormone replacement for both male and female patients, as well as weight management. The FNP employed the collaborating physician, an OB/GYN, front office staff and two licensed practical nurses.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Untimely management of a behavioral health patient and failure to order the appropriate medication

This case study involves a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) insured by NSO who was employed at a behavioral health/detoxification facility (“facility”).

Nurse Case Study: ICU Charge Nurse allegedly failed to monitor a critical patient and escalate treatment

Medical malpractice claims may be asserted against any healthcare practitioner, including nurses. This case involves a registered nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a Charge Nurse.

Documentation: proactive prevention of litigation.

There is no quick and effective antidote to malpractice allegations. Prevention, however, is necessary.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to monitor; failure to complete documentation in a timely manner

The patient (plaintiff) in this case was a 50-year-old male who first came to our insured nurse practitioner (NP) after researching his symptoms on the internet.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to monitor and report changes in the patient’s medical condition to practitioner

A 38 ½ weeks pregnant patient arrived at the emergency department (ED) at 8:29p.m. with complaints of abdominal pain and decreased fetal movement. 

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to follow the standard of care

This case study involves a nurse practitioner working in a medical clinical environment. 

How documentation could come back to haunt you.

The confusing or opinionated words you choose in charting today could come back to haunt you tomorrow.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to follow Physician orders

A 23-year old woman with no significant prior medical history presented to the emergency room with complaints of generalized body ache of two weeks duration and a fever of 102.6.  

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to ensure that essential monitoring of vital signs, fluid intake and urine output were performed and documented

The patient was a 59-year old female 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. 

Nurse Case Study: Failure to monitor; failure to properly recognize drug overdose; failure to call for emergency services

This case involves an independently contracted registered nurse who provided nursing consultation to a residential facility that cared for adults with mild to moderate mental health issues (besides substance abuse).

Nurse Practitioners Case Study: Failure to utilize ethical principles to advocate for access and parity of services for mental health problems

This case study involves a nurse practitioner in an in-patient alcohol/drug treatment setting.

Nurse Case Study: Negligent performance of sclerotherapy, negligent wound care management

This case involves a registered nurse providing services for a vascular surgeon. 

Nurse Case Study: Failure to maintain appropriate professional education

This case study involves a registered nurse working in an operating room setting, who treated a 70-year-old male who presented for a cystoscopy and transurethral resection of the prostate procedure due to urinary retention and benign prostate hyperplasia.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to monitor patient receiving testosterone injections

This case study involves a nurse practitioner in an office setting.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to timely address behavioral health condition/complication

This case study involves a nurse practitioner in an office setting.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to follow policies and procedures on skin integrity

This case study involves registered nurse working in an operating room setting and adult surgical unit.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to follow policies and procedures on skin integrity

This case study involves registered nurse working in an operating room setting and adult surgical unit.

Infographic: Medical Malpractice 101 for Nurse Practitioners

What are the most common injuries that lead to a malpractice lawsuit against nurse practitioners? What is the average payout by injury? Medical malpractice lawsuits are a reality for nursing professionals. If named in a lawsuit, what should you do? These and more questions are answered!

Nurse Case Study: Medication Administration Error and Failure to Monitor

This case study involves a nurse working in an intensive care unit. Allegations included failure to monitor, failure to utilize the nursing chain of command, and medication administration error.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Case Study: Failure to conduct anesthetic of a patient during a procedure

This case study involves a CRNA working in an outpatient endoscopy center.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - Improper Technique When Performing a Peribulbar and/or Retrobulbar Block

Failure to perform a post-operative assessment, failure to accurately document anesthesia complications in a medical record, and failure to complete a proper informed consent.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to properly obtain/perform a complete patient history; improper prescribing of controlled drugs

This case study involves a family nurse practitioner working in a pain management clinic.

Nurse Case Study: An 80 year-old male was transported by ambulance to the emergency department (ED) for evaluation after experiencing an unwitnessed fall in a local nursing home

Medical malpractice claims may be asserted against any healthcare practitioner, including nurses. This case study involves a nurse working in an emergency department (ED).

Nurse Case Study: Failure to perform an appropriate assessment on a patient that had undergone extensive surgery

Failure to perform an appropriate assessment on a patient that had undergone extensive surgery; Failure to properly evaluate and monitor a patient that had undergone extensive surgery; Failure to recognize a known risk of liposuction with abdominoplasty procedures; Failure to take the appropriate measures to assure that a patient received timely medical intervention.

Nurse Case Study: Alleged failure to properly assess and monitor the impaired, restrained patient

The patient was intoxicated and aggressive when brought to the ED, and had to be restrained. Shortly after an assessment check, the patient attempted to burn off his restraints with a cigarette lighter. He suffered severe burns over 25 percent of his body, resulting in permanent disability.

Nurse Case Study: Medication administration error at long-term facility the cause of elderly woman's death.

An elderly woman living in a long-term care facility passes away; autopsy reveals the cause of death to be an overdose of morphine. Indemnity Settlement Payment: In excess of $390,000.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: The case of a pediatric patient at a walk-in clinic with leg laceration and subsequent infection.

The pediatric patient was a 12-year-old male brought into a walk-in clinic by his parents shortly after falling and lacerating his knee. The patient sustained a six centimeter elliptical laceration above his right knee.

Nurse Case Study: Malfunctioning hospital bed blamed for strangulation death of man.

Malfunctioning hospital bed blamed for strangulation death of man – $1 million settlement in Texas with some parties – confidential settlement with others. 

Nurse Case Study: Incorrect IV push of potassium chloride.

Potassium chloride by IV drip ordered for woman, but family claims IV push of potassium chloride given – death – $250,000 verdict.

Nurse Case Study: Failed to perform a nursing assessment on a patient at high risk for a cardiovascular accident

This case study involves a nurse working as an occupational health nurse.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to timely diagnose and treat stroke.

Failure to timely diagnose and treat stroke – partial paralysis of arm, aphasia, mild cognitive impairment and foot drop – $4 million settlement.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to report changes in the patient's medical condition to practitioner.

The patient was a 38-year-old female admitted for a Cesarean delivery of twins. The babies were delivered without incident, but the patient experienced excessive post-operative vaginal bleeding attributed to placental accreta.

Nurse Case Study: Failure to prevent and properly treat decubitus ulcer.

Failure to prevent and properly treat decubitus ulcer – continues to Stage IV – defense verdict. 

Nurse Case Study: Failure to adequately assess and monitor the patient post operatively resulting in the patient’s death.

The decedent/ plaintiff was a 67-year-old male who underwent a right total knee replacement. Following the procedure, the plaintiff was treated in the post-anesthesia care unit where an epidural catheter was inserted for post-operative pain management.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Alleged improper admission orders resulting in morphine overdose and death.

The decedent patient (plaintiff) was a 72-year-old woman who had been receiving hospital care for acute back pain resulting from a fall. Her past history included chronic pain management and end-stage renal disease for which she received hemodialysis.

Medical Malpractice 101 for Nursing Students: Know the Facts, Know Your Risk

What do nursing students need to know about medical malpractice? What should nurses know about their professional liability risks?

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to properly monitor a patient on a medication that can cause organ failure

Defendant is a Nurse Practitioner working at a college infirmary.

Nurse Case Study: Improper administration and monitoring of Mitomycin

The defendant in this case is a nurse.

Medication Management for Advanced Practice Nurses: Protecting Yourself from Liability

NSO and The American Association of Nurse Attorneys is hosting a workshop on Medication Management. Attendees will obtain 3 Continuing Education Credits*.

The Non-Adherent Patient: Risk Control Strategies for Nurses

Patient non-adherence can come in many forms: unwillingness to follow a course of therapy, repeated missed appointments, rejecting treatment recommendations, reluctance to take medications, refusal to provide information or chronic late payments. If left unchecked, such conduct may result in litigation.

Nurse Case Study: Wrongful delegation of patient care to unlicensed assistive personnel

Our insured was a registered nurse (RN) employed by a home healthcare agency. She was with a patient when she received a telephone call from a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who was employed at the same agency.

Nurse Case Study: Alleged failure to assess and monitor teen patient’s pulmonary status

A male patient in his mid-teens arrived at his pediatrician at 5:11 p.m. with complaints of difficulty breathing.

Test Your Liability IQ: Top Reasons Nurses Get Sued

This webinar explores indemnity and expense payments for professional liability claims on behalf of nurses, RN, LPN and LVNs, insured under the CNA/NSO program during the most recent five-year period, 2011-2015.

The Pandemic and Post-Traumatic Growth in Healthcare

Stress can affect nurses, and other healthcare staff, but it also can affect patient safety. Recent studies suggest overstressed caregivers are more likely to make errors and lower the quality of care. The American Nurses Association Survey of Nurses has documented high levels of stress among practicing nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated work stressors, which may lead to an increase in liability lawsuits, highlighting the need for a greater focus on stress management and self care. Assessing one’s reactivity and “thinking about feeling” is the basis to developing self-awareness and ameliorating stress. Healthcare education programs and employing organizations need to formalize self-care and stress management education in light of the recent pandemic and the need to build a resilient workforce for the future to improve patient safety.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to follow-up on lab results

This case study involves a nurse practitioner in private practice setting.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Family NP allegedly failed to assess and monitor patient, resulting in death

A female in her late 70s was a long-term patient of our insured nurse practitioner (NP) and of the family practice where the NP worked.

Nurse Leader Case Study: Failure to perform appropriate hiring practices

Medical malpractice claims may be asserted against any healthcare practitioner, including nurses. This case involves a registered nurse working as a director of nursing in a rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility setting.

Nurse Leader Case Study: Failure to perform Director of Nursing duties in a competent manner

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint can be filed against a nurse by a patient, resident, colleague, employer, and/or regulatory agency.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to counsel patient on risks of noncompliance

This case involves a family nurse practitioner (NP), her business (a women’s health clinic), and employees that specialized in gynecology and hormone therapy.

Nurse Practitioner Case Studies: State Board of Nursing matters involving allegations of a non-clinical nature

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and License Protection Case Studies with Risk Management Strategies, Presented by NSO

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - Improper Technique When Performing a Peribulbar and/or Retrobulbar Block

Failure to perform a post-operative assessment, failure to accurately document anesthesia complications in a medical record, and failure to complete a proper informed consent.

Responding to questions in a pre-trial deposition.

This video can help you be prepared.