Facing the Board is never easy. You should seek help from a nurse attorney if you dealing with cases that are hard to overcome. Having a nurse attorney is a relief especially when you are having a hard time dealing with and winning against accusation cases.
An incident happened on or about March 10, 2019, while an RN was employed at a hospital in San Angelo, Texas, and caring for a patient who was undergoing induced hypothermia, the RN failed to obtain labs every four (4) hours, per policy; failed to clarify the lab orders with the physician; and failed to completely document vital signs for the patient while on three (3) vasopressors, as ordered. The vital signs were ordered to be taken every fifteen (15) minutes. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from lack of appropriate nursing and medical care.
In response, the RN states that the vital signs of the patient were being taken at least every 15 minutes. The RN recorded the vital signs and they were also available on the computer as the vital signs automatically transferred over to EPIC, she was monitoring the patient closely as he was in severe distress and she was noting his vital signs, at least every 15 minutes. The RN was by his bedside most of the night titrating the presser drips. She denies that she failed to obtain labs every four (4) hours per policy as the adult hypothermia post-cardiac arrest policy required certain labs be drawn “now then every 4 hours for 3 occurrences,” These labs had been drawn prior to the RN’s shift and there were no required labs to be drawn per policy. Regarding clarification of lab orders, the orders were specific and did not require clarification. She drew all labs that were ordered by the physician.
The above incident resulted in the disciplined of the RN. The RN’s conduct was ground to the violations pursuant to Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, to take disciplinary action against the RN by the Board. A nurse attorney could have helped the RN if only the RN asks a nurse attorney for the defense.
It is best to know that there are ways to prevent the worst thing to happen before facing the Board and the consequence of your action. Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.