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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
30.4K
Examining Nursing Medical Malpractice Cases Related to Medications.
Julie Higden1, Patricia Folcarelli, Adam Schaffer
1Author Affiliation: Program Director (Dr Higden), Vice President for Patient Safety (Dr Folcarelli), and Senior Clinical Analytics Specialist (Dr Schaffer), Patient Safety, CRICO, Boston, Massachusetts.
The Journal of Nursing Administration
|October 30, 2024
Summary
Medication errors in nursing are uncommon, but when they occur, failure to follow protocols is a key factor. Patient safety interventions focusing on policies and procedures can reduce medication-related malpractice risks.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Medical Malpractice
- Patient Safety
Background:
- The RaDonda Vaught case highlighted medication-related medicolegal risks for nurses.
- Increased attention on medication errors and their legal consequences in nursing practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze medication-related nursing medical malpractice cases.
- To identify factors contributing to these cases.
- To provide insights for reducing malpractice risk.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of medication-related nursing medical malpractice cases from a national database.
- Examination of contributing factors, injury severity, and case outcomes.
Main Results:
- 231 cases from 2017-2021 involved medication administration errors.
- Failure to follow policies/protocols was the most common cause.
- Opioids and epinephrine were frequently implicated; 56.3% of cases resulted in indemnity payments averaging $366,002.
Conclusions:
- Medication-related nursing malpractice cases are infrequent, offering reassurance to nurses.
- Patient safety initiatives should focus on education regarding policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Addressing common contributing factors can mitigate medicolegal risks.
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