Nursing is one of those fields that requires years of experience and schooling. However, this does not mean that those within the industry are not at risk of making an error from time to time. This is especially true of new nurses. When a nurse steps into his or her assigned unit for the first time, it is all too easy to make a simple mistake that can affect both patient care and the nurse’s future. It is also important to keep in mind that new nurses are not the only ones susceptible to making a mistake or error. Regardless of what field, nurses have a great deal of responsibility when it comes to caring for patients, especially in hospitals. When a nurse makes a mistake, it can be just as devastating as those made by doctors or surgeons. As with other healthcare professionals, nurses can be held accountable in the event their negligence leads to injury or bodily harm in patients.
Here at Wormington & Bollinger, our Texas medical malpractice attorneys have years of experience working these types of cases. If you or a loved one has been hurt because of nurse malpractice, please contact us today. We are here to support you and are committed to ensuring justice is served and you receive the compensation you deserve.
In order to give you a better idea of what nursing malpractice looks like, let’s go over some of the most common types of nursing errors seen in the United States today:
- Medication Errors
Medication errors are one of the most common – and serious. There are five ‘rights’ of medication administration that govern how meds must be given to patients and nurse must do the following in order to abide by these rules:
- Administer the right medication
- Administer the right medication to the right patient
- Administer the right dose of medication
- Administer the medication at the right time
- Take the proper medical route in regards to medication
Unfortunately, new nurses often make a mistake in one of these areas, which could be potentially disastrous for patients.
- Body Mechanics
Another of the most common mistakes made by nurses that can lead to malpractice lawsuits are errors in body mechanics. If a nurse is moving too quickly or not following proper procedures, they may injure a patient – or themselves. The fact that this is even an issue just goes to show how serious of a problem it is.
- Errors in Documentation
When it comes to the healthcare industry, errors in documentation could make a big difference in a patient’s overall well-being and livelihood. Clear and complete documentation takes time and practice and is of the utmost importance when it comes to patient care. If something is either not documented at all or written down incorrectly, the results could be devastating.
These are just a couple of the most common nursing errors we see take place on a regular basis. If you believe you have been the victim of one of these types of nursing errors or another, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today.