Forensic-medical evaluation of improper medical care, provided by the nursing personnel

Abstract

A retrospective review of all alleged medical malpractice cases between 2007 and 2016 handled at Ternopil, Zhytomir and Chernivtsi Regional Bureaus of Forensic medical Examination, was performed. Peculiarities of improper medical care provided by nursing staff were studied on the base of the reports of Commission Forensic medical Examination. Lacks of health care provision committed by nurses were detected in 11,7% of the cases. The study showed that unjustifiable medical care occurred as usual in policlinics and ambulatories. 8 types of nursing mistakes were determined. Unintentional medical care was confirmed by forensic medical expert commission as a rule in diagnostics, medical procedures or medical treatment. Insufficient or incomplete medical care provided by nursing personnel seemed more frequently. Nursing errors were caused by subjective reasons in almost 44,8% of the alleged medical malpractice cases. All these reasons were stipulated by poor quality of medical staff. Dereliction of duty by the nursing personnel that was strongly connected with causal relationship between the damage claimed by the patient and unskilful medical care was revealed in 13,8% of the cases.