Other items related to #Charting

Nurse Fatigue Creates a Dangerous Environment

Nurses work long hours and play a critical role in keeping patients healthy. Many nurses feel that fatigue “comes with the territory” of such a high-stress, high-impact job. But what’s really at risk when a nurse is fatigued? 

Do's and Don'ts of Documentation.

Good documentation can help nurses defend themselves in a malpractice lawsuit, and keep them out of court in the first place. 

Documentation: proactive prevention of litigation.

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

Documentation on trial: 9 ways to protect your agency.

In most states, a patient can wait several years to file a lawsuit and then it can take years before the suit goes to court.

Defensive Documentation: Steps Nurses Can Take to Improve Their Charting and Reduce Their Liability

Whether you are an experienced nurse or recent grad, documentation can be challenging. Here is some information that can assist with improving your charting and reducing liability risks:  

Charting by exception: the legal risks.

There are numerous variations to charting by exception. Virtually every facility that uses such a system does it differently.

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.

Abbreviations in Documentation: A shortcut to disaster for Nurses

Trying to save time by using abbreviations? Make sure that you aren't putting yourself or your patients in jeopardy.

7 Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Charting Patient Information

Accurate and complete patient information is essential to providing the highest possible standard of care. Here is simple guidance to keep charting at its best, protect patients from treatment error and prevent potential malpractice liability. 

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.

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.