Professional Accountability Case Law 2022

Running head: PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
CASE LAW
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

CASE LAW1
Introduction
In any healthcare settings or organisation, registered nurses (RNs) are the frontline
executive who provides direct care to patients and their families. They are responsible for
multiple-element, such as delivering error-free care or effective therapeutic communication to
ease the pain of the patients and improve the overall health outcome. Therefore, it is expected
from the nursing professional to effectively follow the rules and regulation while delivering
their duties and responsibilities. They should not conduct any malpractice or practice any
illegal administration towards the care of patients. One such example can be sharing the
medical records without any permit. Such practice or any related illegal health-related issue
would lead in suspension or even worse that is a cancellation of registration for nursing
professionals. Thus, the nurses need to adhere to the guidelines and provides effective care to
the patients. This paper would discuss the case law on four registered nurses. This essay
intends to examine the case and relevant evidence-based approaches for preventing the
adverse effects by the nursing professionals.
Case References: In this case, the decision was made on two stages, and thus, two
different paper on the same case was reviewed. (Caselaw.nsw.gov.au 2020)
Link: [https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5c8b2f34e4b02a5a800bf4e3 and
https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5cb7c8e9e4b0196eea40634b]
Background of the Case
The case is concerned about the death of a patient. Her name was Ahlia Raftery, who
was 18 years old and took her life. She was admitted to the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit
(PICU), and she was an involuntary patient. The reason she was transferred to PICU was
because of her higher chances of suicide. It has been found that she had used bedsheet of her
room as a noose and hung herself by the door of her room. The incident took place within

CASE LAW2
6:30 am to 7:30 am on March 19, 2015. There were a total of three shifts and thus, six
registered nurses were responsible for her wellbeing. As the incident occurred in the morning,
four nurses were held accountable. The incidence includes relative odd behaviour of the
patient. She was standing behind the door in the poorly lit corridor and staring towards the
nursing station without any movement. This was the way the patient attempted suicide. Mr
Lily, Ms Drinkwater and Mr Davies were held responsible, and their registration was
cancelled.
Action and Omission in the Night Shift
The night shift timing is from 11 pm to 7 am. Mr Davies and Ms Drinkwater were on
duty, and Ms Drinkwater was the in-charge (NIC) of the night shift. The major action that led
to the adverse events were lack of insight and observation by these nurses who were available
in the shift. These nurses fail to handover the details of the patient to the upcoming day shift
in the appropriate time. Mr Davies has left early before the shift ends by 6:48 am. However,
he signed the observation sheet of stating 7 am. In addition to this, during the night shift, the
observation sheet was signed and filled by Ms Drinkwater; however, from midnight till 5 am,
the observation sheet was filled by some other nursing staff. In the same time, that same
particular nurse has signed an observation sheet of three other patients. The major omission
that led by these nurses were not filling the observation form. They received only verbal
observation from the afternoon shifts nurses. The nurses were informed by the afternoon
shifts nurses that the patient is at high risk of suicide. Additional information about
attempting suicide in the previous ward was also informed. However, all this information
were not recorded. Another omission is Mr Davies signed in multiple observation form in the
same period.