If you suffered an unexpected injury after receiving nursing care, you may wonder whether a mistake crossed the line into medical malpractice. A poor outcome alone does not establish a claim, but you may have legal options available for potential negligence that caused you injury.
Here are five nursing errors you should watch out for.
Medication errors
Having you take the wrong medicine or dose can cause severe harm, especially when an allergy or drug interaction goes unnoticed. Other mistakes may involve giving your medication to a patient who didn’t need it or having you take it at the wrong time. These can cause side effects, worsen your condition or lead to lasting injuries. Emotional distress caused by the injury may also form part of your claim for noneconomic damages.
Failure to properly monitor patients
Nurses may need to routinely check your vital signs, watch for new symptoms and report changes in your condition according to your care instructions. Failing to monitor your condition as you are recovering can allow the problem to come back or even get worse before anyone notices. Missing a warning sign can also cause a delay in treatment and increase the harm you suffer.
Communication failures
Poor communication among healthcare providers can cause mistakes in your care. A nurse may not receive or pass along key information about your condition, leaving your primary physician unaware of changes that need further attention. That gap could also lead to prescribing the wrong medicine, prematurely altering medication dosage or detrimental changes to the course of your care.
In Colorado, some professional negligence claims require a certificate of review under C.R.S. § 13-20-602 when expert testimony will be needed to establish the claim. The certificate confirms that an attorney consulted a qualified professional who reviewed the facts and found that the claim had a reasonable basis.
Failure to follow care instructions
A nurse not following treatment instructions can put you at risk for avoidable problems. They may not follow directions for wound care or patient positioning, which can cause bedsores or other infections. If that mistake directly contributed to a condition you did not initially have, you may have grounds to question whether the care met the proper standard.
Inadequate nursing care
Not giving enough attention to your needs can contribute to preventable injuries. This can become more serious when staffing problems or poor nursing practices leave important tasks unfinished or cause problems during an emergency. Delays in your care can worsen your discomfort or condition and, in some cases, lead to additional harm.
Review your records if you suspect an error
If you suspect that a nursing error caused you harm, start by gathering your medical records, treatment notes and other documents related to your care. A lawyer can look over your documents, help you figure out if your claim has substantial ground and plan what steps you should take next to pursue compensation.