Any type of accusations can be defended, as long as there is a skilled nurse attorney ready to assist you during the hearing before the Board of Nursing. The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction regarding cases that may affect an RN or LVN’s license from suspension, disciplinary action or revocation.
Accusations are a must to be observed properly not only by the Board but by a nurse attorney. One such incident happened on or about March 12, 2017, an LVN failed to notify the physician when a patient, who was on a hospice care for metastatic breast cancer, experienced a fall. In addition, the LVN failed to preserve the medical records of the patient when she put the patient’s neurological assessments and notes in the shred bin after learning that the patient died.
The LVN was given the chance to defend herself. She states that the aide told her that the patient was on the floor, she got her to her bed, and she assessed the patient with a raised bruise to her forehead. The LVN indicates that the neuro and vitals were within normal range.
The LVN relates that the patient remained stable through the night as she continued with the incident report, vitals and neurological assessments. The LVN indicates that at 4 am, she was notified that the resident wasn’t breathing. She then notified the resident nurse who pronounced the patient deceased a little after 4 am.
The LVN adds that she notified the patient’s son, hospice and the DON. She explains that for some crazy reason, she tore the neuro sign sheet up and threw it away thinking that it wasn’t needed anymore as the patient was dead.
The LVN states that she was upset about the patient’s passing, but that was no excuse and realizes how important the neuro and vital signs were.
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing believes that the LVN’s conduct resulted in an incomplete medical record and exposed the patient unnecessarily to a risk of harm in that she deprived the patient’s physician of being informed of the resident’s change of condition. Because of this incident, the Texas Board of Nursing then subjected the LVN and her license into disciplinary action.
The accusation would have been defended by an experienced and skilled nurse attorney, had the LVN hired one. Hiring a nurse attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
For more details and to schedule a confidential consultation, you must approach one of the most experienced nurse attorneys in Texas, Yong J. An. He has assisted numerous nursing license cases since 2006. You may contact him by dialing (832)-428-567 if you wish to learn more information should you undergo accusations or any other case that may affect your license.