Family claims hospital's staff shortage responsible for fatal crash

Published

CINCINNATI --The family of a Jewish Hospital nurse who died in a crash in March says the hospital is to blame for her death.

Elizabeth Jasper, 38, was killed in March when her sport utility vehicle ran off U.S. 50 and hit a tree as she was driving home from an overnight shift at the hospital.

In a lawsuit filed in Hamilton County, Jasper's family contends that her death was a direct result of overwork caused by staff shortages.

Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/cincinnati/nurses-family-hospitals-staff-shortage-responsible-for-fatal-crash/-/13549970/22853420/-/14oacmsz/-/index.html#ixzz2k0kObPuF

Specializes in Medsurg, Homecare, Infusion, Psych/Detox.

I am with them. The hospital bears some responsibility. This just proves what nurses already know to be true.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
This is horrible and the hospital doesn't care one bit. They will replace her and move on. That is something many nurses do not understand. The facility does not care about you. Your loyalty means zero. I know we tend to overextend ourselves trying to balance work and family but just pull over. Your family would rather have you 20 minutes later than never again.

^THIS. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

The problem from a legal standpoint is on of cause and effect. Was the cause her job? The hospital needs to have several sleep rooms that night nurses can check into...grab a few hours then safely drive home. I am certain some nurses would take advantage of a system like that. They have sleep rooms for hospitalist,anesthesiologist and obstetricians. Nurses are human too and have physical limitations..they need this option put in place, The hospital would certainly look better from a PR standpoint.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
I once blew out my front tire from driving into a median after a night shift.

I did too, and I only live 3 miles from work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked night shift for years at a time at different points over the years. Hospitals operate 24/7. It's a fact of life. People who take night shift jobs are choosing to do so. I feel for the family, but we're all adults here and responsible for the choices we make.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I resigned from a full time night position in the ER. My main reason was because I nodded off one morning and crashed my car into one of the bumpers while coming of the highway. It scared me to death. I now rotate and work night shift once in a while. Every time I work night shift I feel like I'm putting my life on the line. It is a scary thought. The only thing I can do is pray and Thank God every time He allows me to come home safely.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I like the idea of having sleep rooms for nurses and CNAS. We are human. Perhaps having that option would lower the risks of accidents and hospitals can say that they did provide a way for nurses/cnas to rest before leaving work, that way they wouldn't be held liable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Please follow this thread at this link......

Lawsuit Claims Nurse Was 'Worked to Death'

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion