For cases involving drops during transfer, one should carefully scrutinize issues related to short staffing. Many of theses cases involve a very clear order requiring a two-person transfer, with the actual incident only involving one person. Nearly as common are transfers being attempted by people who simply are not physically strong enough to assist a large patient.

You can read more practice tips in my chapter Screening the Nursing Malpractice Case, in a text edited by Patricia Iyer, RN MSN LNCC. More information about Nursing Malpractice, Third Edition, 2007 may be found at here.