Documentations have been a signature specialty of a nurse attorney when handling cases for some nurses. However, some nurses tend to forget this fact because they really felt like they should be responsible even if they never intended to commit such an error.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an LVN with a home healthcare provider in Beaumont, Texas, and had been in that position for nine (9) months.
On or about January 10, 2020, through January 22, 2020, while employed as an LVN with a home healthcare provider in Beaumont, Texas, LVN failed to accurately and completely document that she performed integumentary assessments on a patient, in that she documented that the patient had no changes to her integumentary status when the patient had a worsening shoulder wound related to prior surgery. LVN’s conduct placed the patient at risk for complications such as infection, sepsis, and osteomyelitis from an untreated surgical wound, and resulted in an incomplete medical record that was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would not have complete information on which to base their decisions for further care.
In response to the incident, LVN states that she was first notified of the patient’s wound on February 3, 2020. LVN states that she reviewed the patient’s files, plan of care, recent notes, and orders prior to caring for the patient. LVN states that there was no mention of a shoulder wound or injury in the patient’s file. LVN states that her last visit with the patient occurred on January 22, 2020. LVN states that her focused assessments and skilled visits were performed within her scope of practice.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(D)&(2)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(B).
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the LVN sufficient time to defend the complaints filed against her. However, there was a failure on the LVN’s part to find the right RN/LVN license attorney to handle her case. The negligence of the RN/LVN license attorney led to the decision of the Texas BON to place the LVN’s license under disciplinary action.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN / LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse attorneys who helped represent more than 150 nurse cases for the past 16 years. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An, 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-4579 for a confidential consultation regarding any accusations from the Texas BON.
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