An inaccurate medical record can bring a great risk of harm to any patient. It is part of the nurse’s duty to ensure that the patient has the correct records. But if an RN incorrectly documented on the patient’s chart there’s a corresponding consequence to it. The Texas Board of Nursing may summon you and subject you to disciplinary action or even worse than that. But a nurse attorney on the other hand can help you get through such a situation.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Houston, Texas, and had been in that position for six (6) months.
An incident happened on or about December 23, 2018, an RN inaccurately documented in Medical Record in that Medication Tasks indicates Heparin was given in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, but the Assessments and Cares document states the administration site was the patient’s right arm. The RN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to provide further patient care.
In response, the RN states that her plan was to give the Heparin in the abdomen but when she was about to give the Heparin, the patient changed her mind and insisted that she give the medication on the right arm, despite giving her the explanations that the medication is best absorbed in the abdomen. She was in her left side-lying position and did not want to move. The RN states that her knowledge of this Medication is that it can be given subcutaneously on the upper arm, but she did document incorrectly that it was given in the abdomen. The RN states that no harm came to the patient as a result of this, but she acknowledges that she should have documented the location correctly, by going back to correct it.
Due to the above-mentioned incident, the RN was subjected to disciplinary action by the Board. The RN failed to hire a nurse attorney for her case and now facing the consequence of her actions.
If you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process, you can contact The Law Office of Nurse Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.