Stroke: A Case Study
A stroke is when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can cause a stroke if it damages brain cells (What is a Stroke, 2016). Strokes or Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are the fourth leading cause of death in America, accounting for five percent of deaths killing over 128,000 people per year (Kochanek, 2016). Over 20,000 more women than men suffer from CVA (Alan, 2013) and the risk for a first stroke is nearly twice as high for black than whites in America (Cruz-Flores, 2011). Interventions regarding acute onset of a CVA can reduce death rates in patients showing signs and symptoms. Treatment with clot dissolving medications,
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A nurse may face consequences such as disciplinary action by the State Board of Nursing, job dismissal, mental anguish, and possible civil or criminal charges (Anderson, 2010). Furthermore, the nurse’s employer could incur a malpractice lawsuit that would tarnish its reputation, resulting in fines and possibly losing its accreditation regarding its stroke center. The legal ramifications may extend so much further than the individual nurse. The supervising charge nurse, the pharmacist, the physician and the program director could all suffer legal consequences as a result of one nurse’s error. It is very important to view the role of the nurse as one who could impact so many …show more content…
According to Fowler (2010), “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (p. 45). All nurses would agree that the responsibilities placed on them could be overwhelming at one time or another, but from an ethical standpoint, following a “do no harm” mindset could prevent most errors. It could prompt a nurse to slow down in certain situations and take the necessary steps to prevent errors
Luckily, in this case, no legal ramifications ensued. However, there are many instances when legal actions have been taken regarding nursing medication errors. There was, however, in intensive internal investigation performed. The Risk Management Committee was prompted to conduct an investigation on where the fallout of procedure occurred. Conclusions demonstrated that the Independent Double Checks were not performed properly prior to administration of the medication.
The Risk Management Committee, as well as the Pharmacy Department, the Emergency Department and the Stroke Coordinator all formed a Root Cause Analysis Plan to make changes to the policy regarding ordering and administration of t-PA. It is now required to electronically order, verify, scan and co-sign the medication. In addition, the max dose must be labeled on the medication and have the IV pump set to detect and alert when the max dose has been programed or
A nurse may face consequences such as disciplinary action by the State Board of Nursing, job dismissal, mental anguish, and possible civil or criminal charges (Anderson, 2010). Furthermore, the nurse’s employer could incur a malpractice lawsuit that would tarnish its reputation, resulting in fines and possibly losing its accreditation regarding its stroke center. The legal ramifications may extend so much further than the individual nurse. The supervising charge nurse, the pharmacist, the physician and the program director could all suffer legal consequences as a result of one nurse’s error. It is very important to view the role of the nurse as one who could impact so many …show more content…
According to Fowler (2010), “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (p. 45). All nurses would agree that the responsibilities placed on them could be overwhelming at one time or another, but from an ethical standpoint, following a “do no harm” mindset could prevent most errors. It could prompt a nurse to slow down in certain situations and take the necessary steps to prevent errors
Luckily, in this case, no legal ramifications ensued. However, there are many instances when legal actions have been taken regarding nursing medication errors. There was, however, in intensive internal investigation performed. The Risk Management Committee was prompted to conduct an investigation on where the fallout of procedure occurred. Conclusions demonstrated that the Independent Double Checks were not performed properly prior to administration of the medication.
The Risk Management Committee, as well as the Pharmacy Department, the Emergency Department and the Stroke Coordinator all formed a Root Cause Analysis Plan to make changes to the policy regarding ordering and administration of t-PA. It is now required to electronically order, verify, scan and co-sign the medication. In addition, the max dose must be labeled on the medication and have the IV pump set to detect and alert when the max dose has been programed or