Keeping It Legal

[pearybRN]

I feel most nurses who come upon physician errors have a tendency to either look the other way or consider alternative answers for the discoveries they've made. I come to this conclusion from the outcome made by John Hopkins Medical Ctr and Mass General Hospital through their research which ultimately caused them to change the causes of death in the U.S. For 25 years the U.S. has been dropping sharply in the international health poll quality. Its a complicated study but the U.S. public is left with the evidence that the 3rd leading cause of death is Medicalmals and over treatment. The details emerging from this study reveal quite the gap between patient, nurse and physician communication. Bluntly stated the professionals have been covering up errors for years.

I had trouble sleeping at night so I told my stories which were eventually a costly venture opening up doors for the general public that are commonly closed. However, the stories are in viral mode and are being believed and acted upon. Be careful to your approach in identifying these criminals. They're in the room with you, and may in fact be your friend. Write it down on an incident report, copy it and keep the copy in a safe spot-on campus. Try to be as factual as you can be, having a witness is everything when they come after you. If you want to be involved with changing our world standing in health care quality in th U.S.you need to be proactive. Its your country, and someday you or your child could be a victim. So many safety issues escape the dollar value and the power of the Goliath 'for profit' system. PearyB RN

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

To imply that physician errors are made intentionally by calling physicians who have made errors "criminals" and saying that they "may be your friend" is absolutely despicable. Yes, there are people out there who are practicing unsafely and some of them who are doing it intentionally--but I'd argue that that is in the great minority.

This isn't an "us versus them" scenario.

[elkpark]

I agree that "criminal" is quite strong (and inappropriate) language.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

There is an ocean of difference between an error and a criminal act. OP should understand this from basic educational courses. Accusing anyone of 'criminal' activity is an actionable offense, so this is definitely not a word to use lightly.

In TX, we actually have a legally defined "nurse patient duty" since 1983. It cannot be subverted or over-ridden by the physician-patient duty. Therefore, if we know that a physician's order is contraindicated or erroneous, we are legally bound to take appropriate corrective action. It is an egregious violation of our NPA to do otherwise and can result in loss of license. This was recently tested with our famous Winkler County case... the outcome reinforced our Nursing position on the matter.

BTW, it is illegal to keep a personal copy of organizational documents such as 'incident reports'. It doesn't belong to you. This is usually punishable by termination 'for cause' with a follow-up report to your BON. There can be severe professional penalties - over and above the HIPAA implications.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

OP, can you provide a link to the study you're talking about?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Please provide links for such studies. I currently work for one of those facilities, and have worked for the other, and I have seen no data to support those claims.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

This entire inchoate post seems like the product of a fever. Perhaps it was iatrogenic, but I'm having a hard time taking it seriously.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Please provide links for such studies. I currently work for one of those facilities and have worked for the other, and I have seen no data to support those claims.[/quote']

THIS.

Show me your evidence, data, public reports and research.

[Guest219794]

I feel most nurses who come upon physician errors have a tendency to either look the other way or consider alternative answers for the discoveries they've made. I come to this conclusion from the outcome made by John Hopkins Medical Ctr and Mass General Hospital through their research which ultimately caused them to change the causes of death in the U.S. For 25 years the U.S. has been dropping sharply in the international health poll quality. Its a complicated study but the U.S. public is left with the evidence that the 3rd leading cause of death is Medicalmals and over treatment. The details emerging from this study reveal quite the gap between patient, nurse and physician communication. Bluntly stated the professionals have been covering up errors for years.

I had trouble sleeping at night so I told my stories which were eventually a costly venture opening up doors for the general public that are commonly closed. However, the stories are in viral mode and are being believed and acted upon. Be careful to your approach in identifying these criminals. They're in the room with you, and may in fact be your friend. Write it down on an incident report, copy it and keep the copy in a safe spot-on campus. Try to be as factual as you can be, having a witness is everything when they come after you. If you want to be involved with changing our world standing in health care quality in th U.S.you need to be proactive. Its your country, and someday you or your child could be a victim. So many safety issues escape the dollar value and the power of the Goliath 'for profit' system. PearyB RN

Just curious- did you write this after a hellish overnight shift?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I think this was written by an exhausted (physically & mentally) and frustrated Nurse. We all rant here and there, this thread just needed a good once (or twice) over before being posted. Hope whatever had you so upset is improving..

[pearybRN]

I do not believe people intentionally commit crimes against patients, but in error, and the crime occurs when it goes unreported and damages happen. This is not a new discovery. Its easy to cover-up errors in many situations. I can see most opinions here are understanding and quasi sympathetic, however, a rant or rambling post doesn't necessarily mean a deleterious mind. As a nurse and caregiver, patient safety is your main focus.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I do not believe people intentionally commit crimes against patients, but in error, and the crime occurs when it goes unreported and damages happen. This is not a new discovery. Its easy to cover-up errors in many situations. I can see most opinions here are understanding and quasi sympathetic, however, a rant or rambling post doesn't necessarily mean a deleterious mind. As a nurse and caregiver, patient safety is your main focus.

A deleterious mind? Huh?

Something is definitely missing here. Deleted, perhaps, as it were.