Identifying and Minimizing Risk Exposures Affecting Nursing Practice to Enhance Patient Safety

A study analyzing closed professional liability claims against nurses over a 5-year period was completed by CNA HealthPro and Nurses Service Organization. Of 516 closed claims, the average total incurred payment per claim was $204,594.The study identifies current liability patterns and trends and provides risk-control recommendations to enhance patient safety and minimize liability exposure. Study results indicate that nurses continue to be held strictly accountable for acting within their scope of practice as well as within the policies and procedures of their place of employment. The data also show a need for all spoken and written communication to be documented fully in the patient's health information record. The claims demonstrate that nurses are expected to serve as the patient's advocate and are responsible for obtaining alternative practitioner intervention if the initial practitioner does not respond appropriately to the patient's medical needs.