Patient fall without bed alarm

[Texasnurse81]

Had a patient fall shortly after shift change . No bed alarm was on and the patient was injured. Family is planning to sue, wondering if anybody has gone through this, and what to expect . I do not have malpractice insurance . Wondering also if you have any recommendations for malpractice insurance. I know it won't help me now but I wish I had had it sooner. Thank you!

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

A lot of families threaten, but when it gets right down to it, they'll change their minds. I don't have any advice to give, I just hope the family cools off and goes on.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

Talk to risk management....NSO is a good company for malpractice insurance for future reference.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I use Proliability. They offer discounts for membership in several organizations, so if you're a member of your specialty's professional organization, they're worth checking out. I got one for being an AACN member.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

you may not get insurance if you look for it after the fact

[rheath22]

Is it in ALF or skilled? I know in ALF it's in the contract that they are not with staff 24/7 so there is the disclaimer. I'm not sure about skilled or the hospital.

[Texasnurse81]

It's with a hospital

[nynursey_]

I'm not sure there's any legal leg. Falls can happen with or with bed alarms on regardless. How much injury to the patient?

I went through something very similar and in the end the family accepted the hospital's apology and moved on. I think they more wanted the ass-kissing that went along with it in the aftermath.

[Texasnurse81]

The patient sustained subdural hematoma with no deficit

[MunoRN, RN]

If there was good evidence that the fall could have been prevented with a bed alarm then they might have a case, but the overall evidence says that bed alarms don't prevent falls.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

I wonder what the fall rate is for staff running to a bed alarm?? As for insurance, I have NSO