Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Nurses on the Legal Implications of Negligence in Nursing Practice: A Case Study of Nurses in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

This research work was carried out in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria - to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of nurses on the legal implications of negligence in nursing practice. The objectives of the study is to ascertain the incidence of negligence among nurses, to determine factors responsible for negligent act among nurses, to determine the level of nurses’ knowledge on what constitute patient’s bill of right, to assess the nurses’ knowledge of legal implication of patient’s negligence, to determine the attitude of nurses towards legal implication of negligence and lastly to determine nurses' perception of legal implications of negligence. Method: A sample size of 96 was used, using a random sampling technique. Results from this study were analyzed using frequency/percentage and presented in tables, bar charts and hypothesis tested using chi-square. Results: The result reveals that 84%(81) of the respondents are aware of what negligence is, 85.4%(82) and 83.3%(80) said that lack of communication by a nurse to a physician and shortage of registered nurses respectively are factors leading to the occurrence of negligence. The study further revealed that majority of the nurses were informed about what constitute the patient’s bill of rights. From the result, all 96 respondents are aware that confidentiality of health information as well as respect/non-discrimination is inclusive in patient’s right. 84(87.5%) further said access to emergency management is inclusive. 83(86. 5%) respondents are aware of the legal implications of their actions, 90(93.8%) respondents said they know that they are liable to be punished for negligence while none of the respondents said they are not liable to be punished. 94(97.9%) respondents said that they have positive attitude to clients as a result of the implication of negligence. All 96 respondents said their attitude towards carrying out procedures is highly influenced by legal implications of negligence. The result further showed that 78(81.3%) respondents think that being punished for negligent actions improve the standard of care rendered to clients while 75(78.1%) of respondents think that punishment for negligence will improve professional conduct. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the nurses in Jos University Teaching Hospital are knowledgeable on the legal implications of negligence and maintain a positive behavior towards their patients as a result of having a good perception of what may result for their negligent acts. Efforts should be made by the government and health management agencies to curb the factors noted to contribute to negligence e.g. shortage of registered nurses, lack of communication by a nurse to the physician.