Twenty Legal Pitfalls for Nurses to Avoid

Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers, 1994. Trade Paperback. Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Compelling, real issues facing today's nurse. A brief, practical guide written to help nurses avoid legal problems in many critical and pertinent areas including medication administration, negligent supervision and improper procedure. Informal, at times witting writing in style sets this book apart from others in the field; Each issue is illustrated by a vignette (usually an actual litigated case) and a conversational discussion of risk management; Legal decisions for various specialties - obstetrics, critical care, psychiatry and more - are represented. Chapters include: Neglecting to make safety a high priority; Failing to spot and report possible violence; Not following policies and standards of care; Responding unwisely in a short-staff situation; Failing to protect oneself when whistle-blowing; Neglecting to use due care in physical procedures; Not checking equipment; Assuming others are responsible for your duties; Assuming responsibility for informed consent; Wrongly disclosing confidential information; Making reckless accusations; Failing to act like a professional; Confusing licensure issues with malpractice; Failing to communicate; Failing to monitor and assess; Not listening; Neglecting to follow risk management principles; Making a malpractice case worse; Not following documentation principles; and Confusing legal and ethical questions. 192 pages..