In most cases, PAs and NPs are covered under their employer’s policy. In spite of that, they may still be liable for their own negligence and for all or part of a plaintiff’s award or settlement. It is important, in my experience, that NPs and PAs maintain their own personal medical liability insurance.
There are plenty of articles and handbooks that discuss methods to avoid medical liability, such as the Physician Assistant Legal Handbook by Aspen Health Law and Compliance Center and The Advanced Practice Nurse’s Legal Handbook by Rebecca F. Cady, RNC, BSN, JD. But in my opinion, they all boil down to the following basic principles:
• Know and understand your scope of practice under state law.
• Know and understand your hospital or institutional policies.
• Know and understand the importance of communicating honestly with your patients and your supervising or collaborating physician.
Ensuring patient safety and improving quality of care are steadfast goals for all NPs and PAs. We need to continue our discussions on best practices for preventing medical errors as well as finding ways to remove barriers to effective practice. I would love to hear from you about these matters. Please e-mail me at PAeditor@qhc.com.