Post on 29-Jun-2020
transcript
Legal Issues in Professional Nursing
NSC 385
Objectives
Define common legal issues for professional nursing practice.
U.S.A. legal system
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1028147.stm
http://www.fjc.gov/public/pdf.nsf/lookup/U.S._Legal_System_English07.pdf/$file/U.S._Legal_System_English07.pdf
Sources of Law
• Statutory Law (Statutes)
• Administrative Law
• Case Law
– Civil Law
– Criminal Law
• Common Law
6E633F85-
Boards of Nursing
• State agencies
• Set standards (practice & delegation)
• Licensure
• Discipline
https://www.ncsbn.org/boards.htm
Standards of Care
• Statutes
• Agency regulations
• Accreditation standards
• Facility documents
• Manufacturer’s instructions
• Nursing literature
• Expert Testimony
When things go really wrong
Elements of a Lawsuit
• Duty
• Breach of Duty
• Causation
• Damages
Common Categories of Malpractice
• Failure to:
asesss & monitor
follow standards of care
use equipment in a responsible manner
document
act as a patient advocate
communicate
Contributing Factors
• Early Discharge
• Nursing shortage/downsizing
• Advances in technology
• Increased autonomy
• Better informed customers
• Delegation
http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Continuing-Education/CE-Articles/Is-It-Malpractice.aspx
Reduce potential liability
• Communication
• Competence
• Knowledge
• Delegation
• Assess
• Document
Summary