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Nursing Malpractice

Seattle Washington Attorneys Nursing MalpracticeNurses are often the first provider seen by patients, particularly in the hospital setting. Unfortunately, nurses make mistakes that cause serious harm or death. These mistakes can include failing to properly monitor a patient post-operatively, failing to give necessary medication, failing to prevent a patient from falling, and failing to properly communicate important clinical findings to doctors and other nurses.

What Is Nursing Malpractice?

Nursing malpractice occurs when a nurse’s actions or omissions fall below the accepted standards of care, causing harm to a patient.

What Are Common Nursing Malpractice Claims?

Common nursing malpractice claims include medication errors, failure to monitor patients, ignoring critical symptoms, and failing to report a worrisome sign or symptom to a physician. Any of these can give rise to a valid claim of nursing malpractice.

Can A Nurse Be Held Liable For Malpractice?

Yes, a nurse can be held liable for malpractice. Nurses are licensed professionals who are held to relevant standards of patient care. In many cases, the hospital or clinic where the nurse is employed will also be held responsible for the nurse’s negligence.

How Can Failure To Monitor By A Nurse Lead To Malpractice?

Nurses are responsible for regularly checking vital signs, assessing changes in a patient’s condition, and promptly reporting any concerns to physicians. A failure to monitor can delay treatment for serious issues like infections, internal bleeding, or respiratory distress, resulting in harm to the patient.

Can Nurses Be Responsible For Medication Errors?

Yes, nurses can be responsible for medication errors. Nurses are often responsible for administering the correct medication, at the correct dose, via the correct route, and to the correct patient. Giving the wrong drug or dose can cause serious injury and is a common basis for malpractice claims.

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