RaDonda Vaught's Fatal Medication Error

RaDonda Vaught homicide case, a former nurse, was convicted of negligent homicide and neglect of an impaired adult in 2022 for a fatal medication error that killed patient RaDonda Vaught homicide case at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2017. Vaught administered vecuronium instead of Versed, overriding system warnings. She lost her nursing license and received three years of probation. Vanderbilt University Medical Center faced criticism for not reporting the error to regulators and for a settlement with the Murphey family that restricts public discussion. Following the incident, drug-dispensing cabinet manufacturers Omnicell and BD updated their machines with enhanced safety features. The case also prompted the United States — Kentucky state legislature to pass a bill in 2024 providing immunity for on-the-job healthcare mistakes. RaDonda Vaught homicide case now gives paid speeches across the country, sharing her story as a cautionary tale to advocate for safer healthcare systems and to discuss collective responsibility in preventing medical errors.