Medication errors performed by health care professionals are the most common type of injury resulting in patient harm and death. According to "U.S. Food And Drug Administration" (2014), a medication error is "any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer (para. 1). This paper further discusses a critical regulatory issue in health care relating to a case law, which sent a pharmacist to jail for a medication error that led to the death of a child. In February 2006, Emily Jerry, a two-year old child was at a Cleveland hospital to complete her last series of chemotherapy treatment.
b. Do not resuscitate or (DNR)- This is an order placed into a person’s medical chart or medical record. It indicates that the person does not wish to be resuscitated if breathing stops. c. Durable power of attorney for healthcare- A legal document that empowers another person to make healthcare decisions for healthcare for an incompetent patient. It goes into effect after the person becomes incompetent and only pertains to healthcare decisions.
While Mrs. Muliaga was in the hospital, her husband attempted to make arrangements to payments towards the overdue electric bill. However, due to the “Privacy Act,” he was not able to make the arrangements because his name was not on the account (Eweje, G., & Wu, M. 2010). Therefore, since her husband could not make the
As a Medical Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse Jerry is not certified or qualified to call in a prescription to have it filled or refilled. Medication The medication the patient is requesting to have refilled, Valium (Diazepam), is not used as an antidepressant though he makes it very clear this is why he needs the medication. Valium is used for many reasons; anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. There are certain stipulations that come along with taking the medication. The medication should not be taking for longer than four months at a time
These laws do not apply to employed emergency response workers. The term SBAR method of communication, is a strategy that reduces the likelihood of critical patient details being lost. SBAR is useful when communicating with physicians, since nurses and physicians are taught different ways to communicate patient information. SBAR format encourages caregivers to communicate in a way that is concise. HIPPA is the creation of regulations regarding patient privacy and electronic medical records.
Also, according to Robin Fields, (2010), the incidence of venous needle dislodgement is one of the most dreadful and yet most preventable problems encountered by patients receiving hemodialysis in the industrialized world. The author is a Clinical Manager of a 16-chair outpatient hemodialysis clinic. He has noted that on a three month review of QRR submitted report from January 2012 to December 2012; his clinic has reported an average of 3 needle infiltrations each month. These needle infiltrations predispose patients to venous needle dislodgement. The average age of the general population at the author’s clinic is 60 and above.
Under federal and some state laws medical facilities need consent from patients or, in the event of incompetency of the patient, informed consent of the legal surrogate. The Supreme Court has not dealt with “quality of life issues” and appears to only condone active or passive “euthanasia” (not legally defined) when there is evidence that consent has been obtained from the competent patient or legal surrogate of an incompetent patient.There are many pros and cons to euthanasia and I feel that the pros outweigh the cons. The most debated are the moral, ethical, and rights issues. Some of these pros and cons argued are the right of a competent, terminally ill person to avoid excruciating pain and embrace a
By definition, a physician is a person licensed to practice medicine; in other words, a medical doctor (MD). Indirectly, a physician is someone who saves lives. This definition is the general outlook of doctors around the country. However, there are physicians that indeed do not save lives by denying aid to one in need. This act should be null and void, since a physician should not be allowed to deny aid to one in need.
Hospitals and nursing homes are the top two workplaces for days away from work due to back injuries. About 12 percent of nurses leave the profession annually because of back injuries which just adds to the nurse shortages. The primary risk factor for low back disorders among nursing personnel is lifting and transferring of patients. Nurses should adhere to a ‘No Lift’ approach and prior to commencing any transfer the nurses should consult the appropriate patient mobility plan to determine the
When you go to the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life -- not somebody else's. You'll be seen by a doctor whose specialty most closely matches your particular emergency. The doctor in charge of your care has nothing to do with transplantation. Myth. Maybe I won't really be dead when they sign my death certificate.