The nurse commits an error while caring for a patient who receives Medicare benefits. The error results in a complication that is on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' "never list." What is the implication of this error?

Question

1. The nurse will be investigated by the state's Board of Nursing.
2. The nurse's employment will be terminated.
3. Medicare will not pay for the cost of the complication.
4. The patient will have to share the cost of the care for the complication with Medicare.

Answer 1

3
Explanation: 1. The occurrence of a "never event" does not necessitate investigation by the Board of Nursing. These events are usually related to failure of a system, rather than individual failure.
2. There is no requirement to terminate the nurse's employment.
3. This is the Medicare rule. The cost of caring for the complication will not be covered.
4. The patient cannot be billed for this cost and Medicare will not cover the cost of this care. The cost must be absorbed by the healthcare organization.