LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING

LEGAL STANDARDS Some things are right or wrong by laws NURSING ETHICS A standard for professional behavior A guide to identify our conduct in relation to NURSING ETHICS A standard for professional behavior A guide to identify our conduct in relation to PATIENTS FELLOW NURSES HEALTH CARE TEAM OUR COMMUNITY OUR PROFESSION STANDARDS current license know scope of practice commit to fulfill legal responsibility accountability meet ethical / moral obligations of practice of nursing PRACTICE acceptance of assignments know limitations and function accordingly work for good of the patient (patient advocacy) work within the framework of the nursing process CONTINUING EDUCATION to maintain highest professional competence toward career goals legal requirements opportunities

Public Law: Constitutional Lawdefines/limits powers of governments Statutory Lawenacted by legislative bodies,state boards and professional practice acts Administrative Lawappointed to agencies entrusted to enforce statutory laws NURSING LIABILITY: Physicians ordersnursing responsibility Floating Assignmentslimitations/scope of practice Inadequate Staffing---notify administration/do not leave unit Critical Careassessment skills Pediatric Care---child abuse, safe dose ranges, legal custody Classifications Criminal Law-felonies / misdemeanors Civil Law-relationships written-contracts acts-Tort laws Torta wrongful act or failure to act that causes injury to person or property Intentional torts: Assault and Battery Defamation---libel/slander False Imprisonmentrestraints Leaving against Medical Advice (AMA) Invasion of Privacy---confidentiality Unintentional torts: Negligence and Malpractice Negligence is a tort-a failure to provide degree of care an ordinarily prudent person would to prevent injury Most malpractice is some form of negligence. Types of negligence Contributory negligence Comparative negligence