Week 12; legal class Flashcards
What 5 main elements must be present for a professional to be held liable for malpractice or professional negligence?
- duty
- breach of duty
- injury
- causation
- Foreseeable harm
What kind of liability is negligent supervision?
individual and direct liability
What 5 things is negligent supervision?
- negligent delegation
- failing to act upon reports
- unreported unsafe care
- failing to ensure that supervised staff know and follow policies and procedures
- unbalanced or inadequate staffing
What kind of liability is corporate liability?
direct
What 4 things do corporate liability principles hospitals have a duty to?
- Use reasonable care in maintaining safe and adequate facilities and equipment
- Formulate adequate policies to ensure quality of care for patients
- Oversee all persons who practice within it’s walls (organizational structure)
- Select and retain competent physicians and staff (Dearman, n.d.)
What are examples of breaches of a health care facility’s corporate duty?
Slippery floor; inadequate lighting Broken patient care equipment Out of date or missing patient safety policies Understaffed nursing units Negligent hiring (verifying licenses) Failing to fire incompetent staff
A staff nurse failed to take appropriate action on behalf of a patient with c/o SOB & chest pain and who subsequently died of a massive MI. For which type of liability (individual, corporate, negligent supervision) might the bedside nurse be held?
individual or direct liability
A staff nurse failed to take appropriate action on behalf of a patient with c/o SOB & chest pain and who subsequently died of a massive MI. For which type of liability (individual, corporate, negligent supervision) might the charge nurse be held?
it depends. (Negligent supervision and individual).
A staff nurse failed to take appropriate action on behalf of a patient with c/o SOB & chest pain and who subsequently died of a massive MI. For which type of liability (individual, corporate, negligent supervision) might the the nurse manager be held?
it depends. (negligent supervision and individual).
A staff nurse failed to take appropriate action on behalf of a patient with c/o SOB & chest pain and who subsequently died of a massive MI. For which type of liability (individual, corporate, negligent supervision) might the the hospital be held?
It depends. Would be corporate.
Which is true about vicarious liability? (select all that apply)
a. is dependent on the legal relationship between two entities
b. most commonly involves a relationship between employer and employee
c. is based on the legal principle of respondeant
d. is a form of direct liability
A, B, C. (form of indirect liability)
What is direct liability a breach of?
breach of duty
What 2 liabilities are direct liability?
- individual liability
a. negligent supervision - direct or individual - corporate liability
What type of liability is negligent Supervison?
individual liability
What’s indirect liability not a breach of?
not a breach of duty
What is vicarious liability?
indirect liability
What is Arizona’s Good Samaritan law?
the law provides that any person who renders aid at the scene of an emergency is not liable for any damages as a result of an act or omission so long as the care was provided.
What 3 things must be met in order to have no liability for any problems that arise in Arizona’s Good Samaritan law?
1) in good faith; 2) for no money or other consideration; and 3) the person was not grossly negligent.
What is the volunteer protection act 1997?
A volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity is not liable for harm caused by an act or omission done in the scope of responsibility on behalf of the organization.
When does the volunteer protection act apply?
This applies if the volunteer was properly authorized and licensed, if such authorization is needed.
What is A.R.S. volunteer protection?
“A volunteer is immune from civil liability in any action based on an act or omission resulting in damages if volunteer acted in good faith and within scope of official functions and duties for a non-profit corporation or non profit organization, hospital or governmental entity”
What is the exception of the volunteer protection?
willful, wanton, or grossly negligent misconduct.
When should you complete an incident report?
- Any time a patient makes a (significant) complaint
- Medical errors (including medication errors)
- Medical device/equipment malfunctions
- Patient, staff member, or visitor is assaulted or threatened with assault
- Patient, staff member, or visitor is injured or involved in an incident with significant risk of injury
- And any incident as defined in your organizations policies and procedures
What are other legal responsibilities of the nurse manager?
Policy and procedures Chain of command Monitoring patient care Auditing medical records Staff education Best practice standards; disseminating research Communication --> healthy work environments --> creating safe environment for reporting poor/unsafe care
According to a AZSBON advisory opinion, it is within the scope of practice of the RN to do what 2 things?
- to obtain informed consent for treatments and procedures that the RN will perform
- to witness signatures on documentation indicating understanding of informed consent provided by other practitioners, such as physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and physician (expressed consent).
According to a AZSBON advisory opinion, it is NOT within the scope of practice of the RN to do what?
It is NOT within the scope of practice of the RN to obtain informed consent for medical treatment plans.
A minor’s legal rights to give consent is based on which type of law?
a. common
b. state
c. federal
d. mature minors doctrine
e. Supreme Court decisions
All of them!
What is unwritten law based on precedent; used when there is no other law?
common law