The Legal Implications of Acceptance or Refusal of an Assignment

Acceptance of a patient assignment is considered once the nurse-patient relationship is established such as by the nurse accepting a patient report (AHRQ, 2018). Failure to deliver care to such a patient is considered patient abandonment. The nurse, however, can refuse a patient assignment if the acceptance of such an assignment either puts the nurse or the patient in danger and such a refusal is done in writing. Accepting a patient assignment poses the legal implication that cares not provided satisfactorily or failure to provide such care that is expected per standard results in a breach of the relationship and culminates in negligence by the nurse. Failure to accept the assignment before the relationship is established can also result in a legal issue of insubordination to the employer for the nurse.

gov/webmm/case/222 Dowie, I. Legal, ethical and professional aspects of duty of care for nurses.  Nursing Standard, 32(16-19), 47-52. doi: 10. 7748/ns. The argument insists that the care used for the patient was more radical aimed at effectively treating the patient and that the complications arising thereof were communicated to the patient prior to the initiation of the treatment. The incident could have been prevented by establishing a more supportive and cohesive team approach to patient care. Risk management interventions such as establishing patient care teams within the care environment, establishing a strong documentation and communication protocol within the working environment would contribute to a safer work environment for the patient as well as the healthcare providers within the healthcare teams.