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