Application of Standards of Care
Malpractice is the act of neglect or omission that causes injury to the patient. Neglect usually occurs as a result of an error in diagnosis, management, and general interventions in care following medical intervention. According to legal practice, there are specific acceptable standards of practice that are acceptable, and healthcare providers have a legal obligation to meet the minimum standards. Patients have the right to expect consistent care. In the case study, Yolanda Pinnela is the plaintiff and presents a significant case. Pinnelar, at 21 years of age, was admitted to the Caring Memorial Hospital in the US, where she has been receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Ms. Yolunda had been receiving medications through peripheral access, and on the day, the staff was very busy, and few staff members were there. While the chemotherapy treatment was still dripping, the intravenous access pump rang several times because the access had dislodged from the vein, and a few nurses later came to a stop with the dislodged infusion. The attending physician was notified, and care was provided to the patient. What came out was that the hospital was testing a new IV pump, and it had not been marked or put aside due to malfunction. Yolanda developed necrosis two weeks later, which required several surgeries and grafting of the skin. The hand became deformed, and the thigh lost function; it is clear there is a lack of knowledge, and the outcome is a result of negligence (Danzon, 2000).
The standards of practice will be applied in the case; this is because there is an injury caused by negligence. The patient suffered a significant injury to the hand and thighs and had to undergo several surgeries, including skin grafting. The fact that there is a shortage is not a reason for the damage; the bell rang on several occasions, and given the nature of the treatment, prompt intervention is required to avert the damage (Danzon, 2000).
References
Danzon, P. M. (2000). Liability for medical malpractice. Handbook of health economics, 1, 1339-1404.
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Question
Application of Standards of Care
Discuss the standard(s) of care to which the parties will be held in this case scenario. How will the standards of care and your state’s Nurse Practice Act be applied in the courts if the case is sued?
Case Scenario
SK, age 61, went to the hospital with what she thought was a bad cold and was admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Following admission, she became increasingly feverish and short of breath, but her family’s calls for help went unanswered. In fact, her daughter was unable to find anyone when she went to the nurses’ station looking for help. The patient eventually stopped breathing, and someone finally responded to the family’s desperate and frantic calls for help. SK was successfully resuscitated but sustained brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. She was left unable to walk, talk, or care for herself.
Because of nurse understaffing in the hospital, her assigned RN did not assess her often enough and did not monitor her oxygen level. There were 41 other patients in this unit. Although the hospital’s own staffing standards called for five registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses to staff this unit, only three registered nurses were on duty. Records for the unit in question indicated that the hospital failed to meet its own staffing standards for 51 out of 59 days before this incident.
Instructions: This is a discussion post. 1 page to 1 1/2 pages of content is enough. must use at least 3 references, no less than that. APA format.