PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 2343471

Caught between law & nursing.

R S Goodman·J London-Goodman
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Nursing has entered a new era. It is no longer accountable only to tribunals that measure scientific and technical accuracy. As health-care providers, nurses must also be able to document and justify risks, costs, complications, diagnostic and therapeutic choices, and any other decision made in the course of practicing their profession. Additionally, acceptance and adjustment must be made for working within the new parameters established by the law. James Laughlin said, "A fox was crossing a meadow and the sheep went running, but the fox has no interest in them. He is interested in a field mouse or a chipmunk. People also have such problems." The third parties and government agencies are looking for mice. As competent nurses, you must ensure that the fox has no interest in you.

Explore related subjects

Defensive MedicineJurisprudenceNursingQuality of Health CareRisk ManagementJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R S Goodman, J London-Goodman. 1990. Caught between law & nursing.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2343471/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2006

Defensive medicine practices among gastroenterologists in Japan.

AIM: To clarify the prevalence of defensive medicine and the specific defensive medicine practices among gastroenterologists in Japan. METHODS: A survey of gastroenterologists in Hiroshima, Japan, was conducted by mail in March 2006. The number of gastroenterologists reporting defensive medicine behaviors or changes in their scope of practice and the reported defensive medicine practices, i.e., assurance and avoidance behaviors, were examined. RESULTS: A total of 131 (77%) out of 171 gastroenterologists completed the survey. Three (2%) respondents were sued, and most respondents (96%) had liability insurance. Nearly all respondents (98%) reported practicing defensive medicine. Avoidance behaviors, such as avoiding certain procedures or interventions and avoiding caring for high-risk patients, were very common (96%). Seventy-five percent of respondents reported often avoiding certain procedures or interventions. However, seasoned gastroenterologists (those in practice for more than 20 years) adopted avoidance behaviors significantly less often than those in practice for less than 10 years. Assurance behaviors, i.e., supplying additional services of marginal or no medical value, were also widespread (91%). Sixty-eight percent of respondents reported that they sometimes or often referred patients to other specialists unnecessarily. CONCLUSION: Defensive medicine may be highly prevalent among gastroenterologists throughout Japan, with potentially serious implications regarding costs, access, and both technical and interpersonal quality of care.

Defensive Medicine↗