B6185 - Infermieristica Forense

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will have acquired foundational knowledge enabling them to identify the role of the forensic nurse within health and social care settings.They will also have developed an understanding of civil and criminal expert witness activities relevant to nursing practice; legal support for nurses involved in litigation; care of victims of violence; collaboration with forensic physicians; and the development of protocols, procedures, and care pathways related to risk management.

Course contents

The module provides an overview of the main legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the nursing profession, with particular emphasis on criminal, civil, administrative, disciplinary, and professional regulatory liability.

Specific attention is devoted to Law No. 24 of 8 March 2017, commonly known as the Gelli–Bianco Law, and to its implications for patient safety, professional accountability, and healthcare liability. The module also explores ethical and deontological responsibilities in nursing practice.

Students will engage in the simulation of professional opinions concerning nursing practice, drawing on legislation, professional regulatory guidance, and scientific literature. Practical case simulations will also be used to strengthen students’ ability to document clinical and professional situations in a structured and methodologically sound manner.

The course further addresses the principles of risk management and clinical governance, with particular reference to the quality and safety of nursing care. Nursing-specific aspects of clinical governance will be examined, together with the application of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) as a prospective tool for identifying, assessing, and preventing risks in healthcare processes.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Albano, G. D., Rifiorito, A., Malta, G., Sorrentino, E. S., Falco, V., Firenze, A., Argo, A., & Zerbo, S. (2022). The impact on healthcare workers of Italian Law n. 24/2017 “Gelli–Bianco” on patient safety and medical liability: A national survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8448. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148448

Chiappinotto, S., Igoumenidis, M., Galazzi, A., Kokic, A., & Palese, A. (2024). Between mandatory and aspirational ethics in nursing codes: A case study of the Italian nursing code of conduct. BMC Nursing, 23, Article 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01697-3

Cioce, M., Vetrugno, G., Iula, A., Cornacchione, P., Botti, S., Zoboli, V., Cerretti, R., Soave, S., Guidi, B., Gobbi, G., Finotto, S., Bettini, D., Mordini, N., Dutto, E., Mele, A., Sperti, G., Congedo, R., De Cecco, V., Picardi, A., … Martino, M. (2025). Perception of ‘patient safety culture’ among healthcare professionals in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and CAR-T therapy: A multicentre cross-sectional observational study by Italian Transplant Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Haematopoietic Stem Cells and Cell Therapy (GITMO). BMJ Open Quality, 14(3), e003318. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2025-003318

Codice civile [C.c.], Regio decreto 16 marzo 1942, n. 262, Approvazione del testo del Codice civile, Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, Serie Generale, 79 (4 aprile 1942). https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/atto/serie_generale/caricaDettaglioAtto/originario?atto.codiceRedazionale=042U0262&atto.dataPubblicazioneGazzetta=1942-04-04

Codice penale [C.p.], Regio decreto 19 ottobre 1930, n. 1398, Approvazione del testo definitivo del Codice penale, Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d’Italia, 251 (26 ottobre 1930). https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/anteprima/codici/codicePenale

Istituto Superiore di Sanità. (s.d.). Sistema Nazionale Linee Guida. Recuperato il 15 luglio 2026, da https://www.iss.it/snlg-copertina

Legge 8 marzo 2017, n. 24, Disposizioni in materia di sicurezza delle cure e della persona assistita, nonché in materia di responsabilità professionale degli esercenti le professioni sanitarie, Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, Serie Generale, 64 (17 marzo 2017). https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/03/17/17G00041/sg

Ministero della Salute. (2026, 11 marzo). Raccomandazioni del Ministero per la sicurezza delle cure.

https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/governo-clinico-e-sicurezza-delle-cure/raccomandazioni-del-ministero/

Pallocci, M., Treglia, M., Passalacqua, P., Tittarelli, R., Zanovello, C., De Luca, L., Caparrelli, V., De Luna, V., Cisterna, A. M., Quintavalle, G., & Marsella, L. T. (2023). Informed consent: Legal obligation or cornerstone of the care relationship? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2118. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032118

Varaei, S., Nayeri, N. D., Sayadi, L., Shahmari, M., & Ghobadi, A. (2024). Outcomes of professional misconduct by nurses: A qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 23, Article 200. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01859-3

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures supported by slide presentations and simulation-based activities.

Assessment methods

Learning outcomes will be assessed through a written examination consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with four response options, only one of which is correct.

Each correct answer is awarded 1 point. Incorrect or unanswered questions do not incur any penalty.

The examination is considered passed with a minimum of 18 correct answers out of 30. Grades are awarded on a 30-point scale and correspond to the number of correct answers, ranging from 18/30 to 30/30.

Achieving the maximum score of 30/30 grants access to the assessment of two additional bonus questions, which are intended exclusively for the possible award of honours. The bonus questions do not contribute to the minimum passing score and cannot compensate for errors made in the 30 standard questions.

A final grade of 30/30 with honours is awarded to students who:

• answer all 30 standard questions correctly;
• answer both bonus questions correctly.

The overall duration of the examination is 40 minutes.

Attendance at teaching activities is compulsory. In the event of absences exceeding 25% of the total scheduled teaching hours, corresponding to more than 3 hours, admission to the written examination is subject to an oral discussion of a scientific article relevant to the course content.

Teaching tools

Internet access, personal computers, a projector, and computer equipment available to students.

Office hours

See the website of Renato Congedo