The survivors of a patient who unexpectedly died in a hospital brought suit for wrongful death against the hospital and two nurses. Review of the hospital's pertinent policy and procedures found them to be current

Question

Review of the medical record revealed that policy and procedures were followed by the nurses. What is the likely outcome of this suit? 1. Find for the survivors, since the death was unexpected.
2. Find for the survivors, since hospital policy and procedures do not supersede national standards.
3. Find for the nurses, since they followed hospital policy and procedures.
4. Find for the nurses, since the patient is dead and cannot report variation from the standards.

Answer 1

3
Rationale: The most probable outcome of this suit is that it will be found for the nurses, since they followed hospital policy and procedures. Unexpected deaths occasionally occur in hospitals through no fault of anyone. Hospital policy and procedures are usually based upon national standards and the nurse must follow hospital policy or report variation up the chain of command. These policies and procedures were found to be current. There is no indication that the patient being dead and unable to report variation from standards will have any impact on the nurses' guilt or innocence. Since this case did go to trial, there must be some indication that standards of some professional practice were possibly not followed, so the outcome may be against the hospital.