Negligence
Failure to exercise reasonable care resulting in harm
Definition
Negligence is the failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in the same situation. Professional negligence that results in patient harm is called malpractice.
Common Examples in Nursing
- Failure to assess and report changes
- Medication errors
- Failure to follow standards of care
- Improper delegation
- Inadequate documentation
- Patient falls from inadequate fall precautions
Standards of Care
What a reasonable nurse with similar education and experience would do. Derived from: state nurse practice acts, professional standards (ANA), facility policies and procedures, evidence-based guidelines.
Risk Management
Follow policies, use five rights, double-check high-alert medications, document thoroughly, report incidents honestly, maintain continuing education.
NCLEX Relevance
Negligence requires all four malpractice elements for legal liability.