Wisconsin Nurse being charged with criminal neglect

[psalm_55]

what happened here is truly tragic -- but given the complex, understaffed and over worked conditions in most hospitals, well -- it, or something like it, could happen to many of us.

the nurse's name is "Julie". there is a link at this web site to email support to this nurse. Please join me in letting Julie know that we are with her.

ALL nursing organizations need to address this -- and muster as much support from other professional organizations to STOP THIS MADNESS of pressing criminal charges against a nurse who made an honest mistake.

by the way, where is the ANA??????????????

Since When Is It A Crime To Be Human?

ismp.org says it so well:

"The belief that a medication error could lead to felony charges, steep fines, and a jail sentence can also have a chilling effect on the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers--particularly nurses, who are already in short supply."

Please use this link to give support to that RN.

[Mulan]

No way should nurses be charged criminally for making a mistake.

What carelessness in this case. It wasn't a systems error. What happened to the right drug for the right patient in the right dose at the right time, etc. In the complaint she is quoted as saying "I allow priority for compassion to overide the need for detail." Just grab a bag, don't read the label, and hang it. Is that the usual modus operandi for this nurse?

Her allowing "priority for compassion to overide the need for detail" in this case killed a patient.

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

I am standing by my posts in the other forum related to this.

As this was no just ONE mistake, but a whole series of mistakes, I feel she should be held accountable. If that includes some jail time, then so be it.

Not too many people intend to harms others, yet there are those that get criminally charged for it every day.

tvccrn

[TennNurse]

I don't believe that anyone here has lost sight of the fact that life was lost in this terrible incident. Nor have I read any posts defending the nurse's actions. I also believe that everyone here would wholeheartedly agree that the nurse needs to answer for her actions before the State Board of Nursing (with loss of her license as a likely outcome), AND in a civil trial where the family will likely be awarded financial compensation.

You state, "If this was a physician that caused death, all hell would break loose. Malpractice etc....the nurse should be held to the same level." That is EXACTLY what has been suggested here, malpractice (civil trial), and BON action. Never have I known an obstetrician to be charged criminally for the death of a mother or baby due to errors in care. Nor should the nurse be criminally charged, unless there is evidence of willful and deliberate misconduct.

The posters here who have expressed sorrow over this incident and the nurse's role in it are likely experienced professionals who can identify with the less-than-ideal circumstances that lead to such tragedies. We have been in similar situations of poor staffing, unavailable physicians, poorly designed systems, etc. and realize that there but for the grace of God go we. Anyone who is ready to harshly judge this nurse with precious few facts has likely never experienced the realities of bedside care.

We lock up murderers, rapsits, spouse-abusers, and drunk drivers because it is the only way to protect society from them. It is not necessary to place this woman behind bars in order to protect her community. Revoking her license is more than sufficient.

WOW. Jolie, so well said. :yeahthat:

[ktwlpn, LPN]

It's funny how the line seems to be drawn through the opinions on this matter.We've been talking about this case at work also and the trend there (and here ) seems to be that the less experienced nurses feel there are NO EXCUSES for this nurse-those of us with yrs of experience in the field are more apt to rationalize the situation.Is that because we have made our share of errors? Of course this nurse violated protocols-that's how errors are made.I truly believe that the majority of med errors are due to system breakdown and not carelessness on the nurse's part.After reading her bond affadavit it seems that she has been an exemplary nurse.Sure-measures have to be taken to insure this type of thing does not happen again and again-she should be disciplined but criminally? NO-I think that will set a dangerous precedent for our field..Our employers have systems in place to protect us and our patients from the nurses who should not be practicing-the ones who repeatedly violate the protocols and disregard the rights of med administration over and over.That type of nurse needs to loose her or his license.But if we criminally prosecute every nurse that makes an error that has a negative outcome it will lead to more nurses covering up their mistakes which will ultimatelt result in more harm to our patients.Errors DO serve a purpose-they point out problems in the system.They are a tool for education..Not a noose to hang the nurse involved.Who will want to go into the field of nursing under the threat of criminal prosecution ? Sheesh-have any of you ever looked at a label on a med and taken a second look seconds later to find it did not read what you thought it did? I have had my eyes and mind play tricks on me-it is freaking scary.......Use some common sense-there has to be more behind this story.I am betting that there is some kind of political motivation behind the criminal charges.And MONEY----Look at how they keep referring to the "child"in the complaint- that packs a bigger emotional punch then say the 38 yr old woman.....Let's keep following this story with open minds.We can all learn from it (let's not get the thread closed,citizens)

[ktwlpn, LPN]

In a nursing home I used to work in,an RN altered a MD order which resulted in a patients death, the DOJ was not involved in that case, could it be that it was because the patient was in her 80's not a teenager? .....................................We need to have protection under the law a strong Federal law for nurses or else we may all be facing criminal charges as the nursing homes and hospitals continue to have "gotton away with murder". The BQA (state ) does not enforce the laws that are already in palce to protect patients and hold the healthcare facilities responsible for understaffing which has probably caused many a injury or death. The Regulating and Liscensing Department only slapped the wrist of this RN who caused this 80 year old patient's death, she continued to work in the field and still does.

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THIS PICTURE!!!??

You said it yourself-society does not place as much "value" on the life of an 80 yr old nursing home resident.I feel the nurses in both scenarios should be held to the same set of standards.It is routine in my facility to change g tubes and if the proper procedure is followed you won't place the tube improperly.It's another example of disregarding protocol. Should both of these nurses be prosecuted criminally for making what appears to be a very serious mistake once in their careers?Did either nurse intend to harm? (I'm so afraid that talking about this is going to bring bad voodoo on me-I am almost ready to call off for tomorrow-yikes)

[PANurseRN1]

I don't think experienced nurses have become inured to the seriousness of med errors. I think we have just come to realize over the years that even the best nurse makes a mistake from time to time, and that in many cases we could have been that nurse.

Perhaps we are more realistic and compassionate.

[cddeselms]

This a sad thing that has happened to Julie but, what has happened to the 3 checks that we are suppose to do? We are all taught this in school. I graduated 9 years ago and still practice it. Plus when in dought have another nurse check it as well. Im sorry but, how could those 2 meds get mixed up? There was no emergancy.

She may not deserve to go to jail, but she took someones life.

We all need to remember what we are taught in school. Yes our hospitals are short handed thats no excuse. The public still depends on us to do our job and help them when in need.

Think of it this way. What if that was your daughter? What would you be doing about it? The same as that family is. Wanting someone to pay for there mistake.

:redlight: Come on yall lets keep our heads straight and do our jobs right lives depend on it.

[Gab07]

hi there

actually, i agree with cddeselms vbmenu_register("postmenu_1935628", true); , why the hack she didn't use the 3 checks plus the 5 rights, this is not just a mistake that caused a rash or something, she took the poor child life, i dunno if she deserves jail, but definitely she doesn't deserve to practice again as an rn or anything withing the health field, here is the time when she should change careers.

this kind of mistake is unacceptable, sorry julie but your were so negligent.

take care guys and don't forget 5'rights and 3 checks ,

c ya

[MultipurposeRN]

I keep reading on the report 'child' this and 'child' that. But a 16 year old who's having a baby is no longer a child. My daughter had my granddaughter at 15 and signed all her own consents. I couldn't have even looked at her chart without permission had I wanted to do so.

That doesn't make this any less a tragedy, of course.

[bradleau]

Guess what!? The rapist, and drunk driver who DO KNOWING commit the crime do not get sent up on MURDER charges. They get a slap on the wrist and continue to drink , drive and KILL and RAPE. I strongly believe that drinking and driving is premedated. Better not have me on that jury,.

[RottieMom]

I can't believe there are any nurses still working in that hospital/system. I can't imagine working in that environment.

[LuvsdolphinsRN]

I have made many medication errors in my 20+ yrs as an RN luckily none with fatal consequences. I can sympathize and empathize with her and the loss of her job, loss of identity, and possible loss of her freedom and severe financial loss. Whoever said we are all human was right!!! Can the nursing associations do anything to help in this situation??