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The Nurse as Expert Witness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2021

Extract

Traditionally the great majority of health care related malpractice suits have involved physicians and hospitals. Increasingly, however, greater attention is being given to nurses as potential defendants and thus as sources for recovery in malpractice suits. As a result, more recognition is emerging for nursing as a profession accountable for its practice. This article will examine the concept of accountability by:

  1. 1. reviewing selected legal principles of malpractice;

  2. 2. discussing the trend toward increased inclusion of nurses in malpractice actions and the implications of this trend; and

  3. 3. describing an Expert Nurse Witness and Consultation Service which was developed to provide nursing opinion on the professionally accepted standard of nursing practice.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 1981

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References

1. 196 N.E.2d 592 (Ohio 1964).Google Scholar
2. 523 P.2d 320(Kan. 1974).Google Scholar
3. Id., at 325.Google Scholar
4. 262 S.E.2d 865(N.C. App. 1980).Google Scholar
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6. 396 N.E.2d 13(111. 1979).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. 267 S.E.2d 759(Ga. App. 1980).Google Scholar
8. Id., at 762.Google Scholar