AONL, AHA issue statement on Vaught sentencing

AONL and the American Hospital Association (AHA) released a statement last week praising the lenient sentence given RaDonda Vaught, who was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and gross negligence last March following a medical error that led to the death of her patient. AONL CEO Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, who is also the AHA’s chief nursing officer, stated, “Criminal prosecutions will discourage health caregivers from coming forward with their mistakes and will complicate efforts to retain and recruit more people into nursing and other health care professions that are already understaffed.” The decision to prosecute Vaught drew heavy criticism from many nurses on social media and prompted hundreds to protest outside the Davidson County courthouse, where the sentence was pronounced. (AONL news release, 5/13/22)