Am I being investigated?

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in OB.

A couple months ago, I was involved in a case with a bad outcome. I'm now supposed to go in to the quality control directors office and have a phone conversation with the RN investigator hired by the hospital (to review the case). Does this sound typical? I'm of course worried that they're investigating me, and I should be worried about my job...

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I hope that you documented really really well. No. It does not sound typical. Your instincts are correct.

I have never heard of a phone interview with an outside RN investigator. Exactly who does this person work for?

Check your facility's quality and risk management policies and familiarize yourself with your state requirements for corrective action.

You should contact your carrier immediately for advice on attending this meeting, even if you were only peripherally involved in this bad outcome. I would want legal representation.

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Specializes in OB.

She works for the hospital lawyers. Probably says it all doesn't it!

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

I have been part of root cause analysis cases where there have been adverse patient outcomes. They merely wanted to collect all the facts from all the participants so that if there were a suit against the facility, they would already have documented the processes that led to the incident, and make systemic changes to prevent that incident from happening again. While I agree that you need to know more, specifically if this is an internal investigation into systems processes or a pending law/criminal suit, so that you can notify your own malpractice carrier and union representative (if you have them) this type of investigation is not necessarily uncommon particularly if there was some mitigated harm to a patient. You really need to know more about what is going on before assuming the worst.

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Specializes in OB.

Thank you for responding. I am of course thinking the worst. I'll try not to. Just waiting for a call back from the risk management person. I'm just trying to figure out what kinds of questions she could want to ask me, when she has my charting.

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While you wait, call your malpractice carrier RIGHT NOW and let them know what's going on and what has happened so far. They give you an atty that works for YOU-- you already paid for it with your premium. What's the worst that can happen? Everything is fine and they say, "You don't need us." CALL them.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

It has been my experience that the responsible parties never show up at the RCA because their actions, or inaction, are indefensible and they know it.

Many, if not most, MDs are very quick to blame a nurse for their own negligence. Be very careful.

Is risk management following their own policies and procedures?

If there has not been an RCA, then I would be asking why not? What are they trying to sweep under the rug?

I would never agree to being interviewed over the phone by an "RN investigator." Never.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

This is why having personal --- especially in OB-----(very litigious field of nursing if there ever was one), is so needed. Personally, I want to have access to my own defense in MY best interest, and that premium I pay each year is SO worth my peace of mind. Legal fees and the like can add up quickly.

I do NOT trust my employer and their insurance to cover me----they are after protecting THEIR best interests and they would gladly hang me out to dry if it saved their own hides.

Often, cases do settle out of court, if it comes to that---the hospitals want to get such cases settled and quietly.

If I were you, I would consider talking to your union rep (if you have one) and possibly, getting the advice of a lawyer who specializes in malpractice cases, if for no other reason, to understand the process you are going through right now.

I wish you luck.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Call your carrier ASAP. If you don't have one, consider calling an attorney to request a consultation (most will offer a consult for free) to determine if it would be best for you to have legal representation there. If it were me, I wouldn't be at that interview without having at least talked to one beforehand.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in OB.

What do you mean by an RCA?

I don't plan on saying much at this meeting. My charting can speak for itself as far as I'm concerned. I put in a call to my union to see what they have to say...

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

RCA= Root Cause Analysis.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Your charting WILL speak volumes, but you may still be called to defend it with your words/depositions. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL.

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