Legal Issues in Professional NursingSources of Law •Statutory Law (Statutes) •Administrative Law...
Transcript of Legal Issues in Professional NursingSources of Law •Statutory Law (Statutes) •Administrative Law...
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