Legal suits

Published

I was wandering. Someone told me the other day that OB nurses and Peds nurses are the worse to work for cause they are the two floors that has the most law suits. Is that correct? I am supposed to shadow a nurse this Saturday on the OB floor and that is what I want to go into but after hearing this I am concerned. Does anybody know?:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do what you want. You can get sued anywhere. ;) Good luck! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OB is the most litigious area in the Boston area. Several of the nurses and doctors have been sued at the hospital I worked at. This is because the hospitals, like the Catholic Church, in MA fall under what is called a charitible cap. That means if you sue and win you can tops get $20,000 from them. That is why the nurses and the docs are sued. You wouldn't believe some of the suits that go to trial! You and I would call them frivolous but even if the person gets nothing you, the nurse, have gone through hell with the depositions and trial. Several cases have been settled out of court and some are pending. We usually don't find out the outcomes of the settled out of court cases.

What with short staffing becoming increasingly more the norm, the chance of making a mistake became a real possibility. It's one of the reasons I left the job.

However, I LOVED OB and would tell you to follow your heart. However: Practice the underwear method of charting---COVER YOUR A$$!;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was involved in a suit, the lawyer said that OB, and ICU's are the most common litigation units for our facility.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't follow your heart. A law suit can be initiated even if you've done everything right... you have no controll over that....

so as the last response said... follow your heart

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OB and the ED are notoriously litiginous. ICU's, too. Sometimes sick people die.

You won't find an absolutely safe practice environment, but reasonable staffing, support and education are what you should look for.

There is very little tolerance for fallibility in this world.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks guys I appreciate the input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

You can't live your life in fear of a lawsuit, just practice safe nursing, chart to cover your A$$ and enjoy as much as you can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Also carry .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One of the hazards of working OB.....yep, it's the most "high risk" area to work as far as litigation goes. Wugh. :rolleyes:

Some days it's really scary, but most days it's not. You just have to be really really REALLY aware of your legal boundaries, and be brave enough to stand up to the docs when their practice is not so wise from the legal standpoint, kwim?

If you want peds or OB, go for it. Don't let the lawsuit aspect scare you away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not mean to be stupid..but what do people sue over on these floors?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They sue because it took the nurse 10 minutes to get their ice water and sandwich :-) Patients have no patience anymore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have heard from a malpractice lawyer that came in to talk to us as students said that OB and any type of nurses where you do triage are the highest

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion