When you think of medical malpractice, you may think of doctor errors. However, nurses can make mistakes as well. In fact, nurses play a critical role in patient care. When they are negligent, it can lead to serious accidents.
Nursing errors can happen for various reasons, but poor communication is the biggest issue. When doctors and nurses fail to communicate with each other, it leads to a breakdown and this is when errors are likely to occur.
Many of the mistakes that happen in a nursing environment are preventable. Nurses need to be able to ask questions and function in a work environment without anxiety.
When they are nervous or overwhelmed, nurses are more prone to make mistakes. They may even neglect patients. A patient who has been injured by a nursing error should seek legal help. Contact Furman | Honick Law today and see how a Baltimore nursing error lawyer can assist you with your case.
Common Nursing Errors
The most common nursing errors include the following:
- Patient falls. More than 30% of people over the age of 65 fall every year. Falls can happen in the hospital when patients are dizzy or disoriented. Certain medications can also make patients more likely to fall. Nurses can ensure obstacles are clear from around patients’ beds and encourage patients to ask for assistance.
- Medication errors. One person is killed by medication errors every day. One of the main reasons for this is distractions. Therefore, nurses should avoid being distracted. They should have a thorough knowledge of the medications administered and work with other nurses and the pharmacy to ensure the right medications are being used.
- Frequent hand washing should be second nature. Keep equipment sterile and follow guidelines for central line removal. Clean urinary catheters in a timely manner.
- Documentation errors. Any changes to a patient’s condition should be documented in a timely manner. This is important because if a patient becomes injured, it could be considered neglect if there is no documentation supporting it. Any interventions and declines in health should be noted. Nurses should document any signs of distress and any adverse events should be reported to a manager.
- Equipment injuries. Medical equipment is always changing as technology changes. Nurses need to be able to use this equipment properly. This means requesting training as needed and removing any damaged equipment. They should use the equipment only as needed and in the proper way. Any incidents or defects should be reported to a manager.
Contact Furman | Honick Law Today
Nurses have a huge responsibility and this can cause them to make mistakes. Just like doctors, they are not perfect.
Nursing errors can be serious in nature. Get the legal help you need from the team at Furman | Honick Law. We have many years of experience with these cases and will go to court if necessary. To schedule a free consultation with a Baltimore nursing error lawyer, fill out the online form or call (410) 844-6000.