But the controversy around Vaughts case is far from over. The case has ignited debate among the medical community. The incumbent has shown us repeatedly that his choice to charge or not charge an individual in high-profile cases cannot be trusted," she wrote. closely watched by nurses and medical professionals, Ex-nurse RaDonda Vaught speaks out ahead of guilty verdict, Ex-nurse indicted on reckless homicide charge after deadly medication swap, RaDonda Vaught verdict: Vanderbilt ex-nurse found guilty on 2 charges, Leslie Van Houten, follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is one big step closer to freedom, Amish communities are using a surprising new kind of vehicle to travel long distances: Its a lot quicker, An Iowa meteorologist started talking about climate change on newscasts. I didnt think they would convict her, it was emotional and then I thought what is next? The American Nurses Association on Wednesday released a statement of concern the trial could set a worrying precedent and discourage nurses from reporting errors. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. At one point Jones demonstrated reconstituting the medication, showing the steps that Vaught overlooked, afterwards Jones briefly misplaced the capcausing a few laughs from jurors. Instead of the sedative Versed, which was ordered by Murpheys doctor, Vaught reportedly chose the medication Vecuronium, which causes paralysis. The statement was included in a fundraising pitch on social media and on her website. Lee spokesperson Casey Black said that outside of death penalty cases the governor relies on the Board of Parole to recommend defendants for clemency, which happens only after sentencing and a board investigation. Vaught has been emotional throughout the week often crying, as has the victims family. Did you win $450 million jackpot? And thousands also joined a Facebook group planning to gather in protest outside Vaughts sentencing hearing in May. Vaught's attorney Peter Strianse told The Tennessean on Friday that his client was uninterested in any plea discussions that arose throughout the case. How do stairclimbers compare to treadmills? Magazine and Sierra Magazine. RaDonda Vaught and her attorney Peter Strianse listen as verdicts are read at the end of her trial in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, March 25, 2022. This verdict is tied to a medication error that Vaught made in 2017 while working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which ultimately resulted in the patients death. Bite-Size Science: Guilty verdict for former nurse RaDonda Vaught Where are we headed and it didnt feel like it was anywhere good and that was very scary, said Kirby. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, $100K winning Powerball ticket sold in Nashville, Court allows TNs ban on youth transgender care, DeKalb Co. crews battle boat fire at Edgar Evins, Lady Vol great Nikki McCray-Penson dies at 51, Barkley rewriting will to make Auburn more diverse, TSU hosts celebrity game for mens basketball program, Desmond Bane signs largest contract in Grizzlies, convicted in the death of a patient for a prescription drug mix-up, jury found former Vanderbilt nurse RaDonda Vaught guilty on two counts, These pieces of interval training equipment help, This Philips flosser will make your teeth feel and. How do stairclimbers compare to treadmills? And setting a precedent for criminally charging [for] an error is only going to make this exponentially worse.. The candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 3 primary. The big response we are seeing is because all of us are acutely aware of how bad the pandemic has exacerbated the existing problems, Bartholomew said. Murpheys family is at the forefront of my thoughts every day, she said. Setting a precedent for criminally charging (for) an error is only going to make this exponentially worse. On March 25, about 2,400 miles away in a Tennessee courtroom, former nurse RaDonda Vaught was convicted of two felonies and facing eight years in prison for a fatal medication mistake. Where does the line end now? VERDICT: Ex-nurse RaDonda Vaught found guilty on two charges in death of patient RELATED: Nurses watching the RaDonda Vaught trial worry the case has already So, when it does, are we meeting it with criminal action every time and at what line do we draw, questioned RN Elisabeth Vincent. A Facebook group organizing a march for RaDonda Vaught ahead of her May 13 sentencing has already garnered more than 10,000 members. Former nurse RaDonda Vaught was sentenced to three years supervised probation Friday in a RaDonda Vaught I turned in my notice last Wednesday, explained Kirby. Janie Harvey Garner, who founded the nurse advocacy organization Show Me Your Stethoscope, disagreed. Vaught was investigated by the nursing licensing board in the months after Murphey's death and was not at the time recommended to lose her license or be suspended. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Subscribe to KHNs free Morning Briefing. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Now more than ever, tough and fair journalism is important. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and Twitter. verdict Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including prelates based in Hong Kong and Jerusalem. US drone strike kills Islamic State group leader in Syria, Defense Department says. They told News 2 that they cant speak on the criminal case right now. Murphey was supposed to receive a dose of Versed, a sedative, but was instead injected with vecuronium, which left her unable to breathe, prosecutors have said. Those using her death for personal gain should be ashamed.". Vaught faces more than ten years in prison for charges of reckless homicide and abuse of an impaired adult stemming from a deadly medication error in Dec. 2017. The report reveals Vaughtwas familiar with Versed and had given it to patients before and the steps to administerVecuroniumare very different. She was also found guilty of gross neglect of an impaired adult in a case that has fixed the attention of patient safety advocates and nurses organizations around the country. Former Tennessee nurse RaDonda Vaught was convicted in the accidental death of a patient whom she injected with the wrong drug. Court documents state Charlene Murphey was waiting for a standard PET scan at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, when she was killed by a fatal dose of the wrong medication. Ashley Bartholomew, Tampa, Florida nurse. On the record with Metro Nashville Public Schools board, In Tennessee's first partisan school board elections,, convicted of two felonies and facing eight years in prison, extremely rare case of a health care worker being criminally prosecuted for a medical error, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, a 26-minute self-described unpopular opinion. Vaught faces three to six years in prison on the gross neglect conviction and one to two years on the criminally negligent homicide conviction. Its not worth the possibility or the likelihood that this will happen, Moore said, if Im in a situation where Im set up to fail.. She said she had not considered whether she would appeal. An expert witness for the state argued that Vaught violated the standard of care expected of nurses. Brett Kelman is the health care reporter for The Ultimately, they say, it will worsen health care for all. Her case raises consequential questions about how nurses use computerized medication Powerball jackpot hits $650M: Whens the next drawing? Read the ANA's statement in reaction to the verdict and sentencing of former Vanderbilt University Medical Center nurse, RaDonda Vaught, from May 13, 2022. There was also no scanner in the imaging area for Vaught to scan the medication against the patients ID bracelet. Fifteen years of my life devoted to this; early mornings, late nights, overtime., It was a passion Kirby fell into early on, with nursing becoming part of her identity. Like many nurses, Moore wondered if that could be her. The immutable fact of this case is that Charlene Murphey is dead because RaDonda Vaught couldnt pay attention to what she was doing., Vaught said she is concerned that the verdict with cause other providers to be wary about coming forward to tell the truth. Like many nurses, Moore wondered if that could be her. Vaughts supporters catapulted a plea for her clemency to the top of Change.org, a petition website. On March 25, 2022, a jury found RaDonda Vaught guilty of criminally negligent homicide and gross neglect of an impaired adult. "Just because it is the right statement, it still really diminishes the public trust in the office.". Shed made medication errors before, although none so grievous. Leanna Craft, a nurse educator at the neuro-ICU unit where Vaught worked, testified that it was common for nurses at that time to override the system in order to get drugs. At a community health clinic in Portland, Oregon, the 29-year-old nurse practitioner said she felt overwhelmed and undertrained. Scott Shelp, a California nurse with a small YouTube channel, posted a 26-minute self-described unpopular opinion that Vaught deserves to serve prison time. Coronavirus patients flooded the clinic for two years, and Moore struggled to keep up. After going before the nursing board last year, Vaught was stripped of her license. While Vaught's defense acknowledged the tragic nature of Murphey's death, her attorneys argued that her mistake was not a conscious, criminal act of homicide. That is the outcome Charlene Murphey's family wanted. Someone has to pay a price, and its really easy to say, Just let her do it, she said. The BBC suspends presenter over claims he paid a, Does turning the air conditioning off when youre, In 31 states, unpaid electricity can be shut off, Ukraine and the environment will top the agenda when, Hundreds gather in Sarajevo to pay their respects, Student pilot safely lands suddenly powerless plane, Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including prelates, Top EU lawmaker says firewall against German far, These states could see the Northern Lights Thursday. [I] primarily worked in intensive care settings; neuro ICU, cardiac ICU, PACU, surgical and medical ICU. Ex-nurse found guilty in womans death after accidentally injecting There were many nurses in the courtroom and I think we are all a little disappointed in her representation of us, Nurse practitioner Rebecca Ray told News 2. Keeping tooth enamel clean is crucial, but if you dont tackle whats stuck between your teeth, it can have all sorts of health and hygiene implications.