To Err Is Human, or Is It: Know Your Legal Risks

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Gone are the days when only hospitals and physicians are listed as defendants in medical malpractice lawsuits. The sad truth is, nurses are named as codefendants more frequently and charges are becoming more severe. Claims are derived from deviations from laws, policies and standards which seem reasonable under similar circumstances. Tips to avoid malpractice lawsuits are discussed with a focus on documentation, communication, utilizing chain-of-command, competency and monitoring.

Objectives

Discuss laws, standards, policies and laws that help guide nursing practice.
Review recent cases involving nurses and identify potential risks exposures, with strategies for self-protection.
Identify positive and proactive responses which offer practical, feasible, sound and legal solutions for each.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.