Nursing Errors San Antonio

Common Nursing Errors That Can Lead to Malpractice

Medical negligence is reportedly the third leading cause of death in the USA, behind only heart disease and cancer.  Moreover, according to a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine entitled “The Safety of Inpatient Health Care,” nearly 1 in 4 patients experience an adverse event in the hospital, and approximately one-fourth of those adverse events were preventable. Nursing errors account for a significant percentage of those preventable adverse events. Taking this into account, a single nursing misstep can deteriorate a patient’s condition. Nurses can be held accountable if you suffer a severe medical setback while in their care. These are a few of the more common nursing errors in Texas:

• Assessment errors, including not responding to the family’s request for an evaluation
• Communication errors, such as failure to report the family’s concerns, or signs and symptoms to the attending physician
• Failure to ensure doctor’s orders are carried out 
• Failure to uphold postsurgical standards of care
• Failure to properly record and report changes in patient condition
• Medication errors, such as underdose, overdose, or the administration of an incorrect medication
• Chart errors, such as failing to chart vital data, using the wrong abbreviation to note dosage, or misreading the doctor’s instructions

Infection control is a major duty of the nursing staff as well. Simple actions such as using aseptic techniques, washing hands, and cleaning instruments can go a long way in stopping infections. Nurses place patients and hospitals at risk for infection outbreaks by sweeping these efforts under the rug. Nursing negligence is a serious claim and should be handled by a seasoned nursing error attorney.