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