Risk management and non-employed nurses

For both financial and clinical reasons, a hospital's recognized duty of providing patient care is in no way lessened if non-employed nurses participate in patient care. However, several risks may arise if a facility has not developed effective screening, general and departmental specific orientation, readily available, qualified supervision and evaluation procedures for those nurses. A number of risk management strategies are explained that may help reduce risks when using non-employed nursing staff. The guidelines presented are offered from a risk management perspective and not as legal advice.