| Read Time: 4 minutes | Medical Malpractice
nursing malpractice examples

Nurses play a crucial role in healthcare, often serving as the primary caregivers for patients in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

Their responsibilities are vast, from administering medication to monitoring patient conditions and ensuring continuity of care. However, when nurses fail to meet the accepted standard of care, the consequences can be devastating.

Understanding nursing malpractice examples helps patients and their families identify when care has fallen short. 

What Is Malpractice in Nursing? 

Malpractice occurs when a nurse’s negligent actions—or lack of action—result in harm to a patient. These intentional or unintentional errors represent a breach of duty that violates the trust patients place in their caregivers.

This nursing malpractice definition, as well as the seven most common examples of nursing malpractice below, will help you recognize potential issues and protect your rights if negligence occurs.

1. Medication Errors

Medication errors are among the most frequent and dangerous forms of nursing malpractice. These mistakes occur when a nurse:

Such errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, overdose, or a failure to treat the patient’s condition effectively. For example, administering a higher-than-prescribed dose of a blood thinner could result in internal bleeding, while missing a dose of insulin for a diabetic patient could lead to a life-threatening emergency.

Medication errors often arise from distractions, miscommunication, or inadequate training. Proper protocols and careful attention to detail are essential to avoid these critical mistakes.

2. Failure to Monitor Patients

Monitoring patients is a fundamental nursing responsibility. Nurses are expected to observe and document changes in a patient’s vital signs, symptoms, and overall condition. Failing to do so can delay necessary medical interventions and worsen outcomes.

For instance, a nurse’s failure to notice a patient’s declining oxygen levels or abnormal heart rate could lead to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. These oversights often occur due to understaffing, fatigue, or lack of proper training.

Patients depend on nurses to act as their advocates, ensuring that potential complications are addressed promptly. When monitoring lapses occur, the results can be catastrophic.

3. Documentation Errors

Accurate documentation is vital for effective patient care. Nurses must record essential details about treatments, medications, and observations in a patient’s medical record. Documentation errors—such as incomplete, inaccurate, or delayed entries—can disrupt care and increase the risk of harm.

For example, if a nurse fails to document a patient’s allergy to a specific medication, it could lead to administering a drug that causes a severe allergic reaction. Similarly, incomplete documentation of a wound’s condition could result in delayed treatment, worsening the injury.

Proper documentation ensures that all patient care team members have the information they need to make informed decisions. Neglecting this responsibility undermines patient safety.

4. Miscommunication Among Healthcare Staff

Effective communication is the cornerstone of safe and efficient healthcare. When nurses fail to communicate clearly with physicians, other nurses, or support staff, the potential for error increases significantly.

For example, a nurse might misreport a patient’s symptoms to a physician, leading to an incorrect diagnosis or treatment plan. Alternatively, incomplete handoff reports during shift changes can result in critical information being overlooked, such as recent medication changes or abnormal lab results.

Clear communication protocols and thorough handoffs are essential to prevent these errors. Miscommunication is a preventable yet alarmingly common example of nursing malpractice.

5. Neglecting Standard Procedures

Nursing practices in Maryland are guided by established standards and protocols designed to ensure patient safety. Deviating from these standards constitutes negligence and increases the likelihood of harm. Common instances include:

  • Failing to follow infection control procedures, such as proper handwashing or sterilization;
  • Administering treatments without confirming patient identity; or
  • Ignoring safety protocols for handling medical equipment.

For example, neglecting to clean a wound properly can lead to severe infections that require additional treatment or surgery. Adherence to standard procedures is critical in preventing unnecessary risks to patients.

6. Failure to Act on Changes in Patient Condition

Nurses are often the first to notice subtle changes in a patient’s condition. Ignoring or failing to act on these changes can have dire consequences.

For instance, if a nurse observes that a post-surgical patient exhibits signs of infection, such as fever or swelling, and does not report it to the attending physician, the condition could progress to sepsis. Timely intervention is crucial, and delays can significantly impact patient outcomes.

Proactive monitoring and immediate action are essential aspects of a nurse’s duty to protect patients from harm.

7. Injuries During Patient Handling

Nurses often assist patients with mobility, including lifting, repositioning, or transferring them. When nurses fail to use proper techniques, both patients and nurses are at risk of injury.

Improper handling can result in:

  • Falls or fractures for patients,
  • Skin tears or pressure sores for immobile individuals, or
  • Back injuries for nurses themselves.

Comprehensive training and adherence to safety protocols are essential to prevent these incidents. Negligent handling can lead to significant harm and expose healthcare providers to liability.

Legal Recourse for Nursing Malpractice

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to nursing malpractice, you may have the right to pursue legal action. A skilled nursing negligence lawyer can help you navigate this complex process by:

  • Investigating the circumstances of the malpractice;
  • Consulting with medical experts to establish negligence; and
  • Filing a claim to recover compensation for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income.

Legal action is not only about obtaining financial compensation but also about holding negligent parties accountable and preventing future harm to others.

Why Choose Brockstedt Mandalas Federico?

At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico, we aim to provide exceptional representation to nursing malpractice victims in Maryland. Our firm’s decades of experience and proven track record make us a trusted choice for complex medical negligence cases.

We offer:

  • Extensive experienceOur attorneys understand the nuances of nursing malpractice and have successfully handled similar cases.
  • Compassionate advocacy. We prioritize our clients’ well-being, ensuring they feel supported throughout the legal process.
  • Comprehensive resources. We work with leading medical experts to build compelling cases that deliver results.

When you choose Brockstedt Mandalas Federico, you partner with a team committed to justice and accountability.

For a legal consultation, call (410) 421-7777 or complete the case evaluation form below

Contact a Nursing Negligence Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today

Being familiar with nursing malpractice examples is crucial for recognizing potential lapses in care and taking action to protect your rights. Contact a nursing negligence lawyer at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico today if you suspect you or a loved one suffered harm due to nursing negligence.

Our legal team is here to guide you through this challenging time with professionalism and compassion. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and take the first step toward justice.

Author Photo

Phil Federico is a partner at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.

Phil has led and been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements exceeding one billion dollars.

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