Lessons Learned as an Expert Nurse Witness

Wow - great article! Thanks for sharing.

Would you have to make an argument for I/O ? From what I have seen of that procedure it looks like something that would be difficult to convince someone to consent to unless someone seemed obviously in peril?

Thanks for writing this. It certainly reinforces the importance of documenting correctly.

I know this article is geared more towards hospitalized care,but i am in homecare.On the last point of notifying the physician,many parents do not want the nurses to call the Doctor.What should we do other than document it?

Quote from smartnurse1982I know this article is geared more towards hospitalized care,but i am in homecare.On the last point of notifying the physician,many parents do not want the nurses to call the Doctor.What should we do other than document it?

Quote from calivianyaOP - How exactly do you go about becoming an expert witness? Who is it that approached you - hospital legal team? An outside lawyer? I always thought it sounded fascinating and that it was something I'd be interested in doing.

Quote from Chesterton1Would you have to make an argument for I/O ? From what I have seen of that procedure it looks like something that would be difficult to convince someone to consent to unless someone seemed obviously in peril?

Interesting article. It is good for us to see that side of a lawsuit. It is a good reminder to document EVERYTHING. If you did the work you better give yourself the proof of it. Also it is a reminder that we are sometimes the advocate that makes the difference between a patient living and dying.

Quote from TheCommuterSome colleagues of mine have been approached by plaintiff's attorneys who have asked if they would serve as expert witnesses. They've all refused, and so would I.Even if another nurse made a mistake or failed to rescue, I would not point out their errors or deviations in the standard of care. To me, serving as an expert witness feels like I would be throwing another nurse under the bus, so I will not do it.

Quote from TheCommuterSome colleagues of mine have been approached by plaintiff's attorneys who have asked if they would serve as expert witnesses. They've all refused, and so would I.Even if another nurse made a mistake or failed to rescue, I would not point out their errors or deviations in the standard of care. To me, serving as an expert witness feels like I would be throwing another nurse under the bus, so I will not do it.

Quote from macawakeAiding in covering something like that up goes against everything I believe in.

Quote from TheCommuterI wouldn't engage in a cover-up; however, I will never testify against another nurse. The legal team will need to look elsewhere because I will never participate in another nurse's fall from grace.If that sounds bad, so be it.