Legalities in All Wound Care Negligence of Care

Abstract

Wound care costs in the United States exceeds 10 times more than that of other countries.1 Legal suites are increasingly paid out by clinicians, not the hospitals or the healthcare system.2 Many clinicians are facing lawsuits for malpractice or professional neglect. When taken to court and found guilty, the judgment will result in a large settlement then include the loss of the clinician’s license.1 Since malpractice has a limited judgement, many lawyers are seeking damages as a result of elder abuse. In using elder abuse, the judgements do not have a limitation and often result in very large settlements.2 Clinicians need to learn how to protect him/herself from lawsuits and present the best defense. Areas of negligences in care are: 1) Failure to follow the provider’s orders. 2) Failure to properly monitor and observe the patient and the progress of the wound, 3) Failure to report changes in the patient’s condition. 4) Failure to properly document wound assessment properly and with true description.2