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Spotting healthcare impersonators requires strong hiring practices

Recent incidents have highlighted the problem of healthcare provider (HCP) impersonators. For instance, in 2025, police in Pennsylvania arrested a woman who had used approximately 20 aliases and seven Social Security numbers in her efforts to be hired as a nurse in various states; once hired, she diverted medications. This case represents just one of many impersonation incidents (sidebar #1).

Nurses and smart patient room technology

Smart patient rooms integrate technologies such as biomedical sensors, remote monitoring devices, and wireless systems to enhance patient care, often facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI). These rooms are designed to improve the patient experience (for example, by making it easier for patients to control the room's environment). They also aim to reduce the time spent on manual data entry and streamline workflow, thereby allowing for more nurse-patient interaction. Most importantly, a well-designed smart room can enhance nurse and patient safety by using patient data to provide early alerts for changes in condition.

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.

Avoiding school nurse liability

School nurses face many challenges while striving to provide excellent care for their students. According to a position statement from the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), school nurses in many areas of the United States serve large student populations and are responsible for multiple schools. Beyond addressing urgent student needs such as playground injuries or influenza, school nurses also care for students with disabilities and those with chronic medical and psychological conditions, including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and behavioral disorders. These conditions may require health-related services, such as administering medications or tube feedings, and managing medical devices, such as ventilators.

Nurse Practitioner and Medical Malpractice

Case Study with Risk Management Strategies
Presented by NSO and CNA
 
Case Study: Alleged inappropriate clinical management of a home infusion company resulting in patient injury

Nurse License Protection Case Study: Falsifying Care Provided to Patients; Failing to Maintain an Accurate Healthcare Information Record

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint may be filed against a nurse by a patient, a patient’s family member, colleague, employer, and/or other regulatory agency, such as the Department of Health. Complaints are subsequently investigated by the SBON to ensure that licensed nursing professionals are practicing safely, professionally, and ethically. SBON investigations may lead to outcomes ranging from no action against the nurse to revocation of the nurse’s license to practice. Therefore, when a complaint is asserted against a nurse to the SBON, the nurse must be equipped with the resources to adequately defend the matter. Being unprepared may represent the difference between a nurse retaining or losing their license. This case study involves a registered nurse (RN) who had been working on an adult medical surgical unit of a regional hospital.

Nurse Practitioner and Medical Malpractice

Case Study with Risk Management Strategies
Presented by NSO and CNA
 
Case study: Alleged improper performance of cosmetic injections resulted in tissue necrosis, nerve damage and scarring.

Nurse and Medical Malpractice

Case Study with Risk Management Strategies
Presented by NSO and CNA
 
Case study: Failure to invoke the chain of command for a patient with neurological changes.

Recruitment Tips for Meeting the Nurse Staffing Challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for healthcare and nursing leaders to shift their approach to nurse recruitment and retention, as the exodus of nurses takes its toll on remaining staff and, in some cases, quality of care. This article, the first in a two-part series on nursing recruitment and retention, will address recruitment strategies that leaders can utilize to help attract new nurses to their organization.

Meeting the Nurse Staffing Challenge: Retention Tips

Ensuring appropriate nurse staffing levels is key to the financial health of healthcare organizations like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. High quality nursing care helps to reduce the likelihood of patients safety events and costly medical malpractice lawsuits related to missed errors. The second of a two-part series, this article addresses effective retention strategies that leaders can utilize to help reduce turnover of nursing staff.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to screen and test for lead poisoning, leading to a delay in diagnosis

Medical malpractice claims may be asserted against any healthcare provider, including nurse practitioners. This medical malpractice case study with risk management strategies, presented by NSO and CNA, involves a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (CPNP-PC) working in a pediatric practice.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to diagnose tick-borne illness

This is sponsored content provided by Nurses Service Organization (NSO). Through AORN’s partnership with NSO, AORN members can save 10% on nurses’ malpractice insurance for three consecutive years with NSO’s Risk Management Discount. Receive a quick quote today.

Nurse License Protection Case Study: Falsifying the record of a medication error

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint may be filed against a nurse by a patient, colleague, employer, and/or other regulatory agency, such as the Department of Health. Complaints are subsequently investigated by the SBON in order to ensure that licensed nurses are practicing safely, professionally, and ethically. SBON investigations may lead to outcomes ranging from no action against the nurse to revocation of the nurse’s license to practice. This case study involves a registered nurse (RN) who was working as a traveling nurse on an oncology floor.

Nurse Practitioner License Protection Case Study: Failure to document medication management in accordance with the standard of care

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint may be filed against a nurse practitioner (NP) by a patient, a patient’s family member, colleague, employer, and/or other regulatory agency, such as the Department of Health. Complaints are subsequently investigated by the SBON to ensure that licensed nursing professionals are practicing safely, professionally, and ethically. SBON investigations may lead to outcomes ranging from no action against the NP to revocation of the NP’s license to practice. Therefore, when a complaint is asserted against an NP to the SBON, NPs must be equipped with the resources to adequately defend themselves. Being unprepared may represent the difference between an NP retaining or losing one’s license. This case study involves a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMH-NP) who was working in an outpatient psychiatry practice.

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Failure to diagnose tick-borne illness

Diagnosis-related allegations represent a significant area of liability for nurse practitioners (NPs). Diagnosis-related allegations can stem from factors such as the NP’s failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests to establish a diagnosis, failure to obtain a complete patient and family history and thorough patient physical assessment, and/or a lack of sound documentation supporting the decision-making process of the treating NP. This case study involves a nurse practitioner (NP) who was working in an urgent care clinic.

Nurse License Protection Case Study: Falsifying the record of a medication error

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint may be filed against a nurse by a patient, colleague, employer, and/or other regulatory agency, such as the Department of Health. Complaints are subsequently investigated by the SBON in order to ensure that licensed nurses are practicing safely, professionally, and ethically. SBON investigations may lead to outcomes ranging from no action against the nurse to revocation of the nurse’s license to practice. This case study involves a registered nurse (RN) who was working as a traveling nurse on an oncology floor.

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Legal and Regulatory Risks

Chapter 3 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Clinical and Patient Safety Risks

Chapter 4 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Strategic Risks

Chapter 5 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Financial Risks

Chapter 6 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Enterprise Risk Management

Chapter 1 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Human Capital Risks

Chapter 7 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Technology and Electronic Media

Chapter 8 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Hazard Risks

Chapter 9 of 9

Recruitment Tips for Meeting the Nurse Staffing Challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for healthcare and nursing leaders to shift their approach to nurse recruitment and retention, as the exodus of nurses takes its toll on remaining staff and, in some cases, quality of care. This article, the first in a two-part series on nursing recruitment and retention, will address recruitment strategies that leaders can utilize to help attract new nurses to their organization.

Nurse Webinar: Using Malpractice Claims Data to Identify Risks in Nursing Practice

Learn about key findings from NSO and CNA’s new report, Nurse Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report: 4^th Edition: Minimizing Risk, Achieving Excellence

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Operational Risks

Chapter 2 of 9

Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting

Use the following links to download the full Risk Management Strategies for the Outpatient Setting: Chapters 1-9 (PDF) or individual sections.

Meeting the Nurse Staffing Challenge: Retention Tips

Ensuring appropriate nurse staffing levels is key to the financial health of healthcare organizations like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. High quality nursing care helps to reduce the likelihood of patients safety events and costly medical malpractice lawsuits related to missed errors. The second of a two-part series, this article addresses effective retention strategies that leaders can utilize to help reduce turnover of nursing staff.

Defending Your License: Strategies for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

The presentation will focus on providing strategies for advanced practice nurses to defend their professional license.

Defending Your License: Strategies for Nursing Professionals

In 2017, more actions were taken against nursing licenses in the U.S. than there were malpractice claims.  

-National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)  

Workplace Violence Prevention: Recommendations for Nurses

Nurses are at increased risk for experiencing workplace violence due to their close contact with patients as well as working in an occupational environment marked by stress and burnout.

Cybersecurity: Protect Patients by Preventing Data Breaches

Healthcare INBRIEF^®
A Risk Management Bulletin for Allied Healthcare Facilities | 2023 Issue 1

Crisis Decision-making: Early Planning Helps Promote Better Outcomes

Healthcare ALERTBULLETIN^®
A Risk Management Update | 2022 Issue 2

Diagnostic Error: Common Causes, Effective Countermeasures

Healthcare INBRIEF^®
A Risk Management Bulletin for Allied Healthcare Facilities | 2022 Issue 2

Mergers and Acquisitions: Enhancing Clinical Integration, Reducing Risk

Healthcare VANTAGEPOINT^®
A Healthcare Risk Management Resource | 2022 Issue 2

Nurse Malpractice Claim Report

NSO, in collaboration with underwriting partner CNA, has released the 5th Edition of the Nurse Professional Liability Claim Report. This report highlights the top professional exposures facing nurses, including professional liability claims and license protection matters, as well as case studies, analysis and insights. 

Home Healthcare: Common Exposures and Effective Mitigations

Healthcare VANTAGEPOINT^®
A Healthcare Risk Management Resource | 2023 Issue 1

Medical Spas and Medical Aesthetics: Ten Strategies to Reduce Risk

Healthcare INBRIEF^®
A Risk Management Bulletin for Allied Healthcare Facilities | 2024 Issue 2

Nurse License Protection Case Study: Neglecting an ED patient in need of nursing care; failing to maintain an accurate healthcare information record

A State Board of Nursing (SBON) complaint may be filed against a nurse by a patient, a patient’s family member, colleague, employer, and/or other regulatory agency, such as the Department of Health. Complaints are subsequently investigated by the SBON to ensure that licensed nursing professionals are practicing safely, professionally, and ethically. SBON investigations may lead to outcomes ranging from no action against the nurse to revocation of the nurse’s license to practice. Therefore, when a complaint is asserted against a nurse to the SBON, the nurse must be equipped with the resources to adequately defend the matter. Being unprepared may represent the difference between a nurse retaining or losing their license. This case study involves a registered nurse (RN) who had been working in the Emergency Department (ED) of a large regional hospital for more than ten years at the time of the incident.