title: Litigation risks for infusion specialists. Understanding the issues.
abstract: The legal aspects of caring for patients and the fear of disciplinary actions or malpractice suits understandably are matters of great concern for infusion specialists. This article is intended to be a broad overview of some of the legal causes of action that may arise through the rendering of professional nursing care, as well as an introduction to patients' rights to self-determination, informed consent, and informed refusal as a special area of litigation risk for the infusion specialist.
authors.affiliation: University of Tampa, USA. scollins@allocated.com
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States