The medical profession is wide and encompasses various roles, including doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. Medical malpractice can occur when any of these medical professionals do not meet their duty of care, leading to injuries or adverse outcomes for patients.
If a nurse is reported to the Board of Nursing on suspicion of malpractice, an investigation may be conducted, potentially resulting in disciplinary action, suspension, revocation of licensure or other sanctions.
What are the reasons to report a nurse to the Board of Nursing?
If you suspect malpractice or unprofessional behavior, these are common reasons to report a nurse to the Board of Nursing:
- Professional misconduct: Getting involved in unethical behavior such as theft, fraud, substance abuse while on duty, harassment or inappropriate relationships with patients. This also includes violating professional or ethical standards established by the Board of Nursing.
- Failure to communicate important information: Not sharing critical patient information, such as lab results, changes in vital signs or medication reactions, with other healthcare providers, which could lead to delayed or improper treatment.
- Failure to monitor patients: Neglecting to observe and document changes in a patient’s condition can result in missed opportunities to prevent complications.
- Falsifying or misrepresenting documentation: Altering medical records, documenting care that wasn’t provided or omitting critical details in patient records, which can jeopardize continuity of care and legal compliance.
- Medication administration errors: Administering incorrect dosages, giving the wrong medication, failing to note allergies or not following established procedures for verifying prescriptions. Such mistakes can lead to serious injury or even fatalities.
- Issues in treatment and care: Delivering inadequate, improper or negligent care, such as ignoring wound care protocols, improper use of medical equipment or failing to meet basic hygiene and comfort needs.
- Neglecting or failing to assess: Skipping required evaluations, overlooking critical symptoms or failing to escalate concerns, which can lead to delayed diagnoses or missed complications.
You may need to consider seeking legal guidance to help with the reporting process, protect your rights and address the issue appropriately with the Board of Nursing or other relevant authorities.