Liability
Legal responsibility for professional actions
Definition
Liability is legal responsibility for one's acts or omissions. Nurses can be held liable for professional negligence, malpractice, or other failures of duty.
Elements of Malpractice
- Duty: Nurse-patient relationship existed.
- Breach: Nurse failed to meet the standard of care.
- Causation: Breach directly caused injury.
- Damages: Actual harm occurred.
Common Sources of Liability
- Medication errors
- Failure to assess or report changes
- Patient falls
- Documentation errors
- Failure to follow policies and protocols
- Unsafe delegation
Risk Management
Follow standards of care, document thoroughly and accurately, use proper protocols, report errors honestly, maintain professional liability insurance, continue education.
NCLEX Relevance
All four elements required for malpractice. Documentation is a key defense.