Malpractice isn’t something most of us want to think about, but I hope you’ll read the cover story anyway. Two former nurses who now work in the legal profession offer good advice on how you can reduce your risks. Malpractice can be defined as negligence, misconduct or failure of duty by a professional person that results in patient injury or damage. Ignoring a patient who is suddenly bleeding profusely is an obvious example of not meeting the accepted standard of nursing care. Asking a patient care tech to perform a task not in her job description, using a piece of equipment without proper training, or not speaking up when a coworker does something questionable are other ways you can be liable for legal action.
Sometimes just being present when something goes wrong can land you in court as a witness or a defendant. “In operating room cases the plaintiff will often name everyone who was in the room,” said Debra Meadows, RN, MSN, BSN, legal nurse consultant, King and Spalding for 13 years. “During trial preparation, attorneys will decide who needs to drop off the suit, but that might take years.”
Delivering health care is a risky business, especially in a time of so much change. “In extreme cases you could lose your license, your assets (if you are required to pay damages) or your freedom,” said Meadows.
Considering what it would mean to her career if she ever lost her license inspired Dawn M. Jones, RN, MSN, JD to earn her law degree from Georgia State University and began a legal career. She’s worked the defense and the plaintiff side of the aisle, helping health care workers and patients. .
“Nurses don’t often think about their licenses, but when you are involved in a lawsuit, your employer or someone else could make challenges to right to practice. Your license is your livelihood,” said Jones. You want to protect it with liability insurance and best nursing practices.
“I can remember writing the $89 check for liability insurance when I was practicing as a clinical nurse specialist and complaining about it,” said Jones. Now that she sees the lawsuits, she realizes nurses need it and need to know what their policies cover. “It’s amazing what we sign without reading it. We all need to be more consumer savvy about these things,” she said.
On the lighter side, we hope you’ll enjoy this month’s story about bucket lists. This summer I visited a friend I hadn’t seen for 17 years. Tired of letters that said ‘miss you,’ and ‘hope to see you soon,’ I finally booked a flight and went. We talked non-stop for four days and you can bet I won’t wait 17 years to do it again.
It made me wonder what some of you might have crossed off your life goals/experiences list. Your responses did not disappoint. Bucket lists inspire us to live more intentionally. I know I’m adding to mine, and I suspect readers will be, too.
