Blaming a nurse!? Read this article and see how is this the nurse's fault?

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Specializes in ER.

http://gma.yahoo.com/ohio-transplant-victim-says-hospital-wasted-brothers-trashed-143207531--abc-news-health.html?vp=1

"At the time of the transplant accident, doctors tried to resuscitate the kidney, but it was rendered unusable, both sides have said."

How do they place the blame on a "nurse?"

"A part-time nurse who discarded the contents of the protective slush machine, including the kidney, before surgery was complete, resigned Sept. 10, 2012. UTMC fired longtime nurse Melanie Lemay, who relieved the part-timer when the latter took a break. Lemay is now suing the hospital for wrongful discharge, defamation, slander and libel, according to a complaint filed Aug. 2 in the Ohio Court of Claims."

Such a great example of why it's so important to carry insurance, particularly when it's clear a facility will protect itself and even place blame on a nurse.

How is it not blamed on the transplant team? That they improperly resuscitated the kidney? How is a nurse, who is not in the decision process of a viable kidney, liable?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Malpractice insurance is a must...

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Specializes in ER.

I agree. It's just amazing to me that after reading this article that the blame is placed onto the nurse. It clearly says the kidney was resuscitated and was not viable. So then, why not blame that team? The team is led by a doctor. Just crazy.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

No. It looks like they tried to resuscitate the kidney after they found it was in the trash. Still amazes me how the organ that is the point of this surgery isn't better protected! I bet this nurse was placed in this OR without proper training. And to then fire the other nurse who hadn't done anything! Crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Kinda a non nursing question here...but what is the logic behind the idea that every other member of the family is entitled to some sort of damages?

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A part-time nurse who discarded the contents of the protective slush machine, including the kidney, before surgery was complete, resigned Sept. 10, 2012.

Can anyone explain this procedure? I don't understand what the protective slush machine is. I donated a kidney and it was put on ice and walked to the room next door where the donor was waiting. I am very curious about this.

I feel horrible for both the brother and sister.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Can anyone explain this procedure? I don't understand what the protective slush machine is. I donated a kidney and it was put on ice and walked to the room next door where the donor was waiting. I am very curious about this.

I feel horrible for both the brother and sister.

The slush machine makes sterile ice using sterile saline.

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