Infusion therapy lawsuits: an occupational hazard

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Medical Malpractice Law

Background:

• The number of lawsuits involving infusion nursing has significantly increased.
• Courts increasingly hold nurses accountable for the care and maintenance of venous access devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common areas of litigation in infusion nursing.
• To provide guidance for nurses on how to protect themselves from lawsuits.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent infusion nursing lawsuits.
• Analysis of legal precedents and nursing responsibilities.

Main Results:

• Identification of key areas leading to litigation, such as device-related complications and documentation errors.
• Understanding of legal standards and expectations for infusion nurses.

Conclusions:

• Nurses must be aware of their increased accountability in venous access device management.
• Proactive measures and adherence to best practices can mitigate legal risks for infusion nurses.