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An RN administered the wrong medication to a patient and the patient died. She was arrested and charged with homicide, among other things. Can the hospital be brought up on charges if it is found the system, not the RN, was the root cause of the error? What does this kind of case mean to health care managers with respect to precedent? If the RN is convicted of homicide and sentenced to serve time in jail, what kind of effect do you think this will have on hospitals, healthcare organizations, and the profession of nursing?

User Adam Barth
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Final answer:

If an RN administers the wrong medication and a patient dies, both the RN and the hospital can potentially be held liable. This kind of case sets important precedents and can lead to changes in policies and procedures. The conviction of the RN can have significant impacts on hospitals, healthcare organizations, and the nursing profession.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an RN administered the wrong medication to a patient and the patient died, both the RN and the hospital can potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, the hospital may be considered responsible if it can be shown that their system or policies contributed to the error. This is known as vicarious liability or respondeat superior, where employers may be held responsible for the negligence of their employees.



This kind of case can have significant implications for health care managers and set important precedents. If it is determined that the hospital's system was the root cause of the error, it may lead to changes in policies, procedures, and employee training to prevent similar incidents in the future.



If the RN is convicted of homicide and sentenced to serve time in jail, it can have a profound effect on hospitals, healthcare organizations, and the nursing profession. It may lead to increased scrutiny, stricter regulations, and more emphasis on accountability and patient safety in healthcare settings. It can also have an impact on the public's trust and perception of the healthcare system.

User Suben Saha
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