When a nurse can be held personally responsible for harm to patients depends on various factors, including the type of failures that occur:
1. Active Failure: A nurse can be held personally responsible for harm to patients if they commit an active failure, such as a medication error, improper treatment, or negligence in patient care. Active failures are actions or decisions made by individuals that directly contribute to patient harm.
2. Latent Failure: Nurses can also be held personally responsible for harm to patients due to latent failures. Latent failures are underlying system weaknesses, such as inadequate staffing levels, poor communication protocols, or faulty equipment, that create conditions for errors to occur. If a nurse fails to address or report these latent failures, they may be held accountable for resulting patient harm.
3. Organizational Failure: In some cases, nurses can be held personally responsible for harm to patients stemming from organizational failures within the healthcare facility. Organizational failures include systemic issues like lack of training, ineffective policies, or culture of blame that contribute to patient safety risks. If a nurse is aware of these organizational failures and fails to take appropriate actions to mitigate risks or advocate for necessary changes, they may be deemed personally responsible for patient harm.
Therefore, a nurse can be held personally responsible for harm to patients as a result of active failures, latent failures, organizational failures, or a combination of these factors. It is essential for nurses to practice within their scope of practice, adhere to professional standards, report and address potential risks, and advocate for patient safety to prevent and minimize harm.
