Preventing lawsuits by noting and acting on key aspects in a patient's condition

Nurses are often concerned about committing a wrong action that will result in a lawsuit. In reality, it is often omissions, failing to consistently and thoroughly perform the basic acts of nursing, that result in lawsuits. These include timely adequate assessments, following up on test or treatment results, and persistently notifying someone (up the chain of command, as necessary) when there is a significant abnormality. Red flags for concern include more severe pain than expected for the patient's condition, a sudden change in mental status, and a deteriorating trend. Institutional policies for standardized communication techniques and rapid response back-up assistance can be beneficial.