PLEASE HELP!

[pedsRN28]

I have a question to answer in a new hire packet. It's simple but one word is tripping me up. Here it is...

If the client is not fully apprised of the nature and risks associated with medical care in the home, the client can legally charge the agency and the physician with battery or hold them liable for complications related to treatment. TRUE or FALSE

My thinking is that the agency itself wouldn't be charged as the person responsible is the one who committed the act. Also, I'm assuming consent was signed and now the pt is stating they didn't understand something dde33. I'm probably thinking way in to it!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I have no idea what dde33 means-- is it a typo? If textspk, please don't use it... TOS.

Any agency (or hospital) will be on the hook for an action by its employees, because they are supposed to make sure the employees know what they're doing, including knowing and acting on policies on informed consent, etc., as verified by training records, reference checks, licensure checks, and so forth.

The question says nothing about whether a consent was signed, so you cannot assume it. People get into a lot of trouble assuming, you know.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

sounds like a legal answer anyway and may vary from place to place.