The Death Shift Case: How cognitive biases blind us

Dr. Kathy Holland had heard the gossip about Genene, a licensed professional nurse, that she might be doing something to hurt the kids in the hospital, but she did not believe it. She had worked with Genene. Genene was a good nurse. There had been several investigations finding fault with no one, except, perhaps, with the management of the ICU. But children and babies had died. Dr. Holland had hired Genene and now had lost hospital privileges and the parents of three children had filed lawsuits. Now she realized she had been so naïve and stupid. How could everyone have missed this? How could she have not seen the truth about Genene? This case is most appropriate for courses in organizational behavior, decision making, and ethics.