Liability in Emergency Departments and Disciplinary Exposure for Nurse Practitioners

Abstract

Nurse practitioners play a key role in providing care to the millions of Americans who visit hospital emergency departments each year. In the emergency department environment, pediatric, geriatric, and pain management cases are areas where nurse practitioners may encounter increased liability. Failure to act in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act or established standards of care not only creates an opportunity for legal risk, but may lead to a malpractice suit or disciplinary action by the state’s board of nursing. Utilization of risk control strategies can improve quality of care and avoid malpractice and/or disciplinary actions.