Legal Issues Facing Health Care Workers on a Daily Basis

Nurses are expected to do more with less, to work long hours, and to deliver high standard of care. Government regulations, state laws and the threat of litigation lingering require that nurses remain knowledgeable of the latest and most current information that affects their clinical practice and be aware of the legal implication of documentation in the medical record regardless whether it is an electronic format or handwritten. Understanding the legal implications of health care is frequently stated Its not if you get sued but when you get sued.There has been an increase in the number of malpractice cases in part, due to an increased awareness of patients' and consumers' rights. Nurses have to bear heavy responsibilities. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in allegations of negligence that can lead to malpractice lawsuits. Allegations of negligence can arise against a nurse from almost any action or failure to act that result in patient injury. This information addresses related laws and regulations, malpractice, and ways of preventing malpractice allegations by defining the relevant issues nurses are facing in health care on a daily basis.