Are Medical Errors Destined to Become Crimes?

A former nurse, RaDonda Vaught, was convicted of gross neglect of an impaired adult and negligent homicide on March 25, 2022 after a three-day trial in Nashville, Tennessee. Vaught faced these charges in connection with the killing of Charlene Murphey, who died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in late December 2017 after being administered the incorrect drug.

Medical errors are generally handled by professional licensing boards or civil courts. Criminal prosecutions like Vaught's case are very rare.

This trial has been closely monitored by nurses and medical professionals across the U.S. because of a strong concern that this conviction could set a precedent for criminalizing medical mistakes.