Nursing administration is a critical component of healthcare delivery in long-term care facilities. It involves the management of staff, resources, and processes to ensure quality care for patients. However, nursing administration errors can have serious consequences for patients and can lead to costly litigation. In this article, we will explore the top 5 most litigated nursing administration errors in long-term care facilities.
Failure to maintain adequate staffing levels
One of the most common nursing administration errors is the failure to maintain adequate staffing levels. Understaffing can lead to poor patient outcomes, including falls, pressure ulcers, and medication errors. In addition, understaffing can contribute to staff burnout and turnover, which can further exacerbate the problem. When a facility is sued for understaffing, the plaintiff may argue that the facility breached its duty to provide reasonable care.
Failure to train and supervise staff
Another common nursing administration error is the failure to train and supervise staff. When staff members are not properly trained, they may not be able to provide appropriate care to patients. In addition, inadequate supervision can lead to medication errors, falls, and other adverse events. When a facility is sued for failure to train or supervise staff, the plaintiff may argue that the facility was negligent in its duty to provide competent care.
Failure to maintain accurate medical records
Maintaining accurate medical records is critical to providing quality care to patients. When medical records are incomplete or inaccurate, patients may be at risk for adverse events. In addition, inaccurate medical records can make it difficult for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about patient care. When a facility is sued for failure to maintain accurate medical records, the plaintiff may argue that the facility breached its duty to maintain complete and accurate records.
Failure to implement appropriate infection control measures
Infection control is a critical component of healthcare delivery in long-term care facilities. Failure to implement appropriate infection control measures can lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. In addition, inadequate infection control can lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, which can be difficult to treat. When a facility is sued for failure to implement appropriate infection control measures, the plaintiff may argue that the facility was negligent in its duty to provide a safe environment for patients.
Failure to report incidents and adverse events
Finally, nursing administration errors can occur when incidents and adverse events are not properly reported. Failure to report incidents can make it difficult for facilities to identify and address problems, which can lead to poor patient outcomes. In addition, failure to report incidents can make it difficult for patients to seek compensation for injuries sustained as a result of the incident. When a facility is sued for failure to report incidents and adverse events, the plaintiff may argue that the facility breached its duty to provide appropriate care and to report incidents as required by law.
In conclusion, nursing administration errors can have serious consequences for patients and can lead to costly litigation. To avoid these errors, long-term care facilities should prioritize adequate staffing levels, proper training and supervision of staff, maintenance of accurate medical records, implementation of appropriate infection control measures, and reporting of incidents and adverse events. By doing so, facilities can provide quality care to patients and reduce the risk of litigation.
