It’s best to seek the help of a nurse defense attorney when facing different complaints and allegations. However, some nurses tend to face these results instead without thinking that nurse attorneys are always reliable for matters such as these.
On or about April 17, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse in a medical center in Dallas, the RN allegedly incorrectly crushed and diluted controlled substance, an oral pain medication, and administered it intravenously to a patient. The pain medication was ordered to be given by mouth.
Additionally, the RN failed to document the medication administration in the patient’s electronic medical record. Her conduct could have contributed to patient injury from adverse effects of intravenous administration of medication that was not properly formulated for safe intravenous use, including possible phlebitis, ischemia, embolism, or sepsis.
In response to the incident, the RN states that when this event occurred she was a newly graduated nurse, still in her residency, and she experienced a non-supportive, bullying environment from the onset of her residency. She states that she takes accountability and responsibility for her actions.
At the end of her shift, her preceptor directed her to go to the patient’s room and administer pain relief medication, which was the first time this medication had been given on her shift. She states that to prepare the medication, she initially crushed it in the medication room and carried it to the patient’s room in the small pill crusher bag.
The RN states that she turned on the water faucet and collected water into a small cup. She reports that she then drew up tap water and mixed in the crushed medication. She states she then went to the patient’s bedside to administer the medication. She states that she then lifted the patient’s gown to access the gastric tube, but there was no gastric tube as she had anticipated.
The RN states that in hindsight, this is where she should have stopped and went and found her preceptor. She states that the patient did have a nasogastric tube that was attached to suction. She states that she was tired, confused, and uneasy.
She stated that due to her inexperience as a new nurse, she screwed the syringe onto the intravenous line and began administering the medication. She stated she monitored the patient as the medication was slowly infusing and about halfway through she met resistance.
The RN stated that three skin team nurses entered the room and as they did she mentioned she was having trouble administering the medication. One of them came and tried to help her with the administration, and then another asked what she was administering. She states that she informed the team she was administering pain medication, and that was when she and everyone else in the room realized what she had done.
The Texas Board of Nursing sent a letter to the RN regarding the issue so that she could have the chance to defend herself. However, she was not able to provide a good defense for herself. Therefore, The board placed her RN license to a disciplinary action instead.
If you ever undergo cases such as this, it’s best to seek the assistance of a good nurse attorney in Texas as it could make the case better in your favor. Be sure to find a nurse attorney who’s experienced and knowledgeable in several nurse cases to ensure the best assistance possible.
If you also received a complaint regarding a case filed against you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse lawyers who helped various nurses in their cases since 2006. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.