Examining Nursing Medical Malpractice Cases Related to Medications.
Journal
The Journal of nursing administration
ISSN: 1539-0721
Titre abrégé: J Nurs Adm
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 1263116
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 Nov 2024
01 Nov 2024
Historique:
medline:
31
10
2024
pubmed:
30
10
2024
entrez:
30
10
2024
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The aim of this study was to analyze medication-related nursing medical malpractice cases to gain insights regarding how malpractice risk can be reduced. The criminal prosecution and verdict of nurse RaDonda Vaught focused attention on the potential medicolegal risk for nurses related to medications. Medication-related medical malpractice cases involving nurses were obtained from a national database. Various attributes of these cases were examined, including contributing factors, injury severity, and case outcomes. Authors identified 231 nursing medication-related medical malpractice cases closed from 2017 to 2021. The most frequent adverse events involved medication administration. Not following policies or protocols was the most common contributing factor. Opioids and epinephrine were the medications most frequently involved in the cases. Indemnity payments were made in 56.3% of the cases, with an average indemnity payment of $366 002. Nursing medication-related medical malpractice cases are relatively uncommon, which may reassure nurses regarding medicolegal risk. Medications and contributing factors involved in the cases suggest patient safety interventions including education related to policies, procedures, and protocols.
Sections du résumé
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze medication-related nursing medical malpractice cases to gain insights regarding how malpractice risk can be reduced.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The criminal prosecution and verdict of nurse RaDonda Vaught focused attention on the potential medicolegal risk for nurses related to medications.
METHODS
METHODS
Medication-related medical malpractice cases involving nurses were obtained from a national database. Various attributes of these cases were examined, including contributing factors, injury severity, and case outcomes.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Authors identified 231 nursing medication-related medical malpractice cases closed from 2017 to 2021. The most frequent adverse events involved medication administration. Not following policies or protocols was the most common contributing factor. Opioids and epinephrine were the medications most frequently involved in the cases. Indemnity payments were made in 56.3% of the cases, with an average indemnity payment of $366 002.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Nursing medication-related medical malpractice cases are relatively uncommon, which may reassure nurses regarding medicolegal risk. Medications and contributing factors involved in the cases suggest patient safety interventions including education related to policies, procedures, and protocols.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39475893
doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001502
pii: 00005110-202411000-00011
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
631-637Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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