A nursing error refers to a mistake or oversight made by a nurse while providing patient care, which can result in harm to the patient or compromise their well-being. Nursing errors can occur at various stages of patient care, from assessment and medication administration to documentation and communication.

Common types of nursing errors include:

• Medication Errors: These occur when there is a mistake in prescribing, preparing, administering, or documenting medications. This could involve administering the wrong dose, wrong medication, wrong route, or wrong patient.
• Documentation Errors: Mistakes in recording patient information, interventions, assessments, and medication administration can lead to incorrect treatment decisions or lack of proper communication among healthcare providers.
• Communication Errors: These involve inadequate or inaccurate exchange of information among healthcare team members, which can lead to misunderstandings, delays in care, or inappropriate treatments.
• Assessment Errors: Failing to perform thorough assessments or overlooking important patient information can result in missed diagnoses or delayed interventions.
• Infection Control Errors: Improper hand hygiene, failure to follow infection control protocols, or inadequate sterilization of equipment can contribute to the spread of infections.
• Falls and Safety Errors: Neglecting to properly assess a patient's risk for falls or not implementing safety measures can lead to patient falls and injuries.
• Surgical Errors: Errors during surgical procedures, such as wrong-site surgery or incorrect surgical procedures, can have serious consequences for the patient.
• Transcription Errors: Mistakes in transcribing medical orders or prescriptions can result in incorrect treatments being administered.
• Equipment Errors: Incorrect use or malfunctioning of medical equipment, such as infusion pumps or ventilators, can lead to patient harm.
• Discharge Planning Errors: Inadequate discharge planning, including incomplete patient education or lack of follow-up care arrangements, can lead to complications after the patient leaves the healthcare facility.
• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to accurately diagnose a patient's condition or delaying necessary diagnostic tests can result in delayed or incorrect treatment.
• Cultural and Language Errors: Misunderstandings related to cultural practices, language barriers, or communication styles can impact the quality of care provided to diverse patient populations.

Common Causes of Nursing Errors

Nursing errors can have serious consequences for patients and can occur for various reasons.

Here are some common causes of nursing errors:

• Human Factors and Fatigue: Nurses work long shifts, often with irregular hours, which can lead to fatigue and decreased alertness. Fatigued nurses are more likely to make mistakes in judgment, calculation, and decision-making.
• Communication Breakdown: Poor communication among healthcare providers, including nurses, physicians, and other team members, can lead to misunderstandings and errors. Incomplete or unclear handoffs during shift changes or transfers can result in vital information being missed or misinterpreted.
• Lack of Training and Education: Insufficient training, inadequate orientation to new tasks or equipment, and limited continuing education can leave nurses ill-equipped to handle various situations, leading to errors in patient care.
• Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication, wrong dosage, or wrong route of administration can have serious consequences. Factors such as similar drug names, complex medication regimens, and interruptions during medication administration can contribute to these errors.
• Documentation Errors: Inaccurate or incomplete documentation can lead to miscommunication and compromised patient care. Failure to document interventions, assessments, or changes in a patient's condition can hinder continuity of care and lead to errors.
• Workload and Staffing Issues: High patient loads and understaffing can put immense pressure on nurses. When nurses are overworked and rushed, they may be more prone to errors due to increased stress and reduced time to double-check tasks.
• Distractions and Interruptions: The healthcare environment is often fast-paced and filled with distractions. Nurses may be interrupted during critical tasks, which can lead to errors or omissions.
• Inadequate Resources and Equipment: When nurses lack access to essential equipment, supplies, or medications, they might make improvised decisions that can result in errors.
• Lack of Standardization: Inconsistent practices and lack of standardized procedures can lead to confusion and mistakes. Clear protocols and procedures help ensure that tasks are carried out consistently and correctly.
• Cultural and Language Barriers: Nurses who work in diverse settings may encounter language barriers or misunderstandings due to cultural differences. Miscommunication in such situations can lead to errors in patient care.
• Lack of Critical Thinking: Nursing requires strong critical thinking skills to assess situations, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions. Inadequate critical thinking can lead to errors in judgment.
• Burnout and Job Dissatisfaction: Nurses who are burnt out or dissatisfied with their jobs may become emotionally detached from their work, leading to decreased attention to detail and an increased likelihood of errors.

We Can Help You Seek Justice

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a nursing error in Baltimore, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Brown & Barron LLC are ready to help you seek justice. We have successfully represented numerous victims of nursing errors and have helped them secure the compensation they deserve.

To learn more about how we can assist with your case involving a nursing error, please Contact us today at (410) 698-1717 for a free consultation! Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate legal representation while aggressively pursuing justice on behalf of our clients.