The professional nurses obligation to protect he patients right to safety The professional nurses role as the patient advocate,

, protecting the patient from incompetent, unethical, or illegal actions/practices The professional nurses qualifications relating to the administration of proficient patient care The professional nurses obligation to maintain the highest level of competency in nursing practice, through continuing education activities The professional nurses responsibility and obligation to profession, to the society in general, and to those entrusted to his/her care

 Statutory

law Defines who health care providers are and includes anyone licensed, registered, or certified by the state to practice in the field of health care. This includes the nurse practice act, the medical practice act, and the dental act, among others. Violating this act or any statue would be a criminal act, because it would be a crime against the people of the state. The state its citizens, would then charges against the offenders.

Common law To determine whether there was a duty owed to the person bringing suit, the courts would use a reasonable prudent standard. In the case of health care providers, the standard is in accordance with same health care profession, with similar training experience, situated in the same or similar community at the time alleged act occurred. The reasonable prudent standard is objective, however, since it is based on conduct consistent with persons who possess superior knowledge or skill; conduct specifically tailored to the individual and or the professional.

 Captain

of the ship doctrine This phase was used as an analogy of the responsibility of a navy captain. That is, the surgeon was in total command and had full responsibility for the care and efficiency of the procedure room (the ship) and the welfare of all the persons present.

 The

borrower servant doctrine The principle of the borrowed servant doctrine is simple. It is used when an employee commits a negligent act while under the direction or control of another who is not the employer; then that borrower is liable for the employees action. The respondent superior doctrine A subordinate acts according to his/her superiors direction therefore, the hospital is liable for the negligence actions of a nurse.

 Res

ipsa liquitur (the thing speaks for itself)

Is applied to the perioperative nurses practice much more frequent than to any other area of nursing practice. According to this doctrine, the nurses must show that the standard of care was not breached, rather than the usual requirement that the injured party show was that the standard was breached.

 Consistent

adherence to uniform policy, procedures, and protocols provides safer patient care, thus decreasing the likelihood that the patient will injured. an injury does occur and suit is filled, it will be easier to show that the nurse complied with the policy and procedures of the institution.

If

 The

prioperative nurses duty regarding informed consent is confined to ensuring that consent has been obtain, documented, and placed in the health record in accordance with the policy of the hospital.