Healthcare laws form the backbone of the healthcare industry, providing a structured framework that ensures the safety, quality, and ethical standards of patient care. These laws profoundly impact nursing practice, guiding nurses in their roles, responsibilities, and interactions with the healthcare system. The coursework over the past few weeks has covered some fundamental healthcare laws, such as contract and tort laws, negligence and liability of healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations, legal aspects of health information management, informed consent, and fraud laws. Healthcare laws form a comprehensive framework that dictates the parameters within which nursing practice operates. From licensure and scope of practice to patient rights and scope of practice to patient rights and confidentiality, these laws create a robust structure that nurses must navigate while delivering care that is …show more content…
Four fundamental concepts of a negligent tort include duty, breach of duty, and cause of an actual injury (Showalter, 2017). Nurses have a duty to provide quality care to their patients. Any breach of this duty that results in harm to the patient can lead to legal claims of negligence. Negligence can encompass actions such as medication errors, failure to properly assess and monitor patients, and inadequate communication with the healthcare team. Although intentional torts are less common in nursing practice, they still warrant consideration. Instances of assault (threatening harm), battery (unlawful touching), or defamation (damaging reputation through false statements) can occur within the healthcare setting, leading to legal consequences if not addressed appropriately (Ibrahim, Hussein, & Hussein, 2019). Through understanding and adhering to both contract and tort laws, nurses contribute to a healthcare culture that prioritizes patient safety and professional