Start by reading and following these instructions:
You are responsible for minimally at least 3 posts for each question in your discussion boards; your initial post and reply to two of your classmates. Your initial post(s) should be your response to the questions posed in the discussion question. You should research your answer and cite at least one scholarly source when appropriate, and always use quality writing. The discussion board is never a place to use text language or emoticons. You will also be asked to respond to your classmates. This is designed to enhance the academic discussion around the topic. It is all right to disagree with something posted by another, however your responses should always be thoughtful and respectful and reflect your opinions professionally.
Discussion Question:
Read the article: Austin, S. (2011). Stay out of court with proper documentation. Nursing, 41(4), 24-30. – found in the Learning Materials/Readings • Of the four elements that must be proven to determine negligence, do you think that any of them is harder to prove than others? (be sure to explain your reasoning in detail) • Choose scenario 1, 2, or 3 in the article. Summarize the lesson to be learned, and what you would have done to avoid the error.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Proper documentation is a critical aspect of healthcare practice. Documentation done improperly or not done at all can lead to legal issues and malpractice claims. The article “Stay out of court with proper documentation” by Suzelle Austin discusses the importance of documentation and the four elements of negligence that must be proven to determine liability. In this discussion, we will analyze the difficulty in proving the elements of negligence and reflect on the lessons learned from the scenarios presented in the article.
Q: Of the four elements that must be proven to determine negligence, do you think that any of them is harder to prove than others? (be sure to explain your reasoning in detail)
A: The four elements that must be proven to determine negligence include duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Among these four elements, causation is often the most challenging to prove. Causation refers to the link between the breach of duty and the harm or injury caused to the patient. In healthcare, causation can be difficult to establish because many medical conditions have multiple causes or contributing factors.
Furthermore, causation requires proving that the patient suffered harm due to the breach of duty and not any other cause. Often, patients seeking medical attention are already suffering from complex or chronic medical conditions that require various forms of treatment. Therefore, causation requires proving that the harm caused was directly related to the breach of duty and not due to any other reason.
Q: Choose scenario 1, 2, or 3 in the article. Summarize the lesson to be learned, and what you would have done to avoid the error.
A: Scenario 2 in the article describes the case of a patient who underwent surgery for a spinal cord injury but was left with neurological deficits. The lesson learned from this scenario is the importance of accurate and complete documentation. In this case, the surgeon failed to document the patient’s deteriorating neurological function before surgery, which led to delayed diagnostic imaging and inadequate management of the patient’s spinal cord compression.
To avoid this error, I would ensure that all patients’ medical records are accurate and complete. I would make sure that any changes in the patient’s condition are documented accurately and timely. Additionally, I would encourage all healthcare practitioners involved in the patient’s care to document efficiently and effectively to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care are well documented. Accurate and complete documentation is a critical aspect of healthcare practice that ensures patients receive appropriate and timely care while also reducing the risk of malpractice claims.
