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What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation

Does your workplace have a plan in place for how to handle an active shooter? Would you know how to react to protect yourself and your patients or clients?

Reducing readmissions through discharge communication

One of the most important transitions in the continuum of care is patient discharge. Unfortunately, many patients across the country will leave hospitals, clinics, and healthcare provider offices unsure about what medications to take, when to make a follow-up appointment, and other critical details about their care.

Create effective anti-bullying policies

Workplace bullying contributes to decreased team cohesion, burnout, retention issues, and absenteeism. This article will help managers and other nurses influence policy development with suggestions on crafting usable and effective anti-bullying policies.

Protect Your Professional License, Protect Your Livelihood

When you purchase your own professional liability insurance policy through Nurses Service Organization (NSO), you have peace of mind knowing that you have the resources available to protect your license and your right to practice.

Overcoming the pitfalls of medication reconciliation

Any time there’s a hand-off in patient care, there’s an increased risk for a medication error. Medication reconciliation has been used to help bridge this hand-off communication on admission, between transfers in the hospital, and at discharge.

When to Refuse a Nursing Assignment

Being assigned to an unfamiliar clinical area is one thing, but what if you are ordered to perform an unfamiliar procedure or a task that’s outside the scope of nursing practice? When should you refuse an assignment?

End of Life Care: Responsibilities and Risks

Nurses can make a major contribution in easing the transition from aggressive treatment to palliative care, regardless of the setting. To do so, they must be prepared to make ethical and humane decisions while also avoiding professional liability exposures.

The Ins and Outs of Patient Abandonment

What is patient abandonment, and why do nursing students need to know about it? 

Social Media Etiquette for Nursing Professionals

Social media is a powerful tool that almost everyone uses, but it’s important to remember that what’s shared on social media can have negative effects on your life and career.   

Do Not Let “Depo-” Medications Be a Depot for Mistakes

NSO and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have teamed up to help you practice safe medication use and keep patients safe. The following is an ISMP Medication Safety Alert from the May 2017 NSO Risk Advisor.

Dispensing Alert! Dial, Set, and Lock that Dose

NSO and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have teamed up to help you practice safe medication use and keep patients safe. The following is an ISMP Medication Safety Alert from the August 2017 NSO Risk Advisor.

Hospital Workplace Violence and Safety Response

Healthcare workers, and in particular hospital workers, are at high risk for workplace violence. Yet many hospitals don’t have safety protocols in place, and those that do often haven’t examined protocol adherence or efficacy.

A Solution to Sitters That Won’t Fall Short

Patient falls continue to be a leading cause of preventable injury in U.S. hospitals1.

Are You Filing Incident Reports Properly?

Knowing when—and how—to file incident reports can help you to protect yourself, your patients, your colleagues, and your organization.   

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? 

Keeping up with technology: your risks and responsibilities.

Information technology is constantly evolving. Among the most common types are electronic health records (EHRs) and computerized physician order entry systems (CPOEs).

Keeping up with technology: your risks and responsibilities.

Information technology is constantly evolving. Among the most common types are electronic health records (EHRs) and computerized physician order entry systems (CPOEs).

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. 

Don't cross the line: respecting professional boundaries.

At best, nurses and patients develop a special bond based on trust, compassion, and mutual respect.

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.

Administer meds without a doctor's order? Proceed with caution.

Registered nurses generally should administer medications only with a physician’s order. Only certain advanced practice nurses have prescriptive authority, and their qualifications, as well as the type of drug and the amount they are allowed to prescribe, vary from state to state.

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.

3 Common Nurse Charting Mistakes to Avoid (Part 1)

Accurate and complete patient chart information is essential to providing the highest possible standard of care. Here are simple tips to improve nurse charting, protect patients from treatment error and prevent potential malpractice liability.

4 Common Nurse Charting Mistakes to Avoid (Part 2)

Following nurse documentation best practices helps keep your patients safe and ensures that you are complying with your employer’s policies – and avoiding potential legal consequences such as a malpractice lawsuit.

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: 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 - 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.

Creating Inclusiveness for Transgender Patients

As a nursing professional, being attuned to the needs of transgender patients helps you ensure their health needs are met and reduces the risk of legal liability.

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.

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: 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?

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.

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 Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report: 4th Edition: Minimizing Risk, Achieving Excellence

The 4th Edition of the Nurse Claim Report provides a wealth of statistical data and analysis that shows how nurses’ malpractice claims have evolved over the past 20 years.  Use the report’s risk control strategies to reduce your potential exposures and improve patient outcomes.  Feel free to share it with your colleagues.

Nurses’ Malpractice Insurance Claim Reports

Ever wonder why nurses are sued for malpractice and what you can do to reduce the risk of a potential lawsuit? Now you can find out. NSO, in collaboration with CNA, has released their new report: Nurse Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report: 4th Edition: Minimizing Risk, Achieving Excellence.

Nurses’ Malpractice Insurance Claim Reports

Ever wonder why nurses are sued for malpractice and what you can do to reduce the risk of a potential lawsuit? Now you can find out. NSO, in collaboration with CNA, has released their new report: Nurse Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report: 4th Edition: Minimizing Risk, Achieving Excellence.

Nurse Practitioner Professional Liability Exposure Claim Report: 5th Edition

This Nurse Practitioner Claim Report, released by NSO and CNA, reports that the average total incurred of professional liability claims is $332,137 in 2022. 

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 Claim Report: 4th Edition - A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Professional Liability Exposures

This Nurse Practitioner Claim Report released by NSO and CNA, reports that the average cost to defend a malpractice lawsuit against a nurse practitioner is $60,034.   

Responding to questions in a pre-trial deposition.

This video can help you be prepared. 

Learn about malpractice prevention and earn CE credits.

"Focus on Malpractice Prevention" is a risk management continuing education program that offers CE accreditation and a 10% discount on NSO premiums.