This is just one of the many cases why every nurse in Texas is expected to act with prudence in practicing their profession. Gross negligence, disobedience or any form of offense on the part of a RN or LVN is never excused. Therefore, it is essential to hire a nurse attorney when facing the BON for any cases.
At the time of the incident, he was employed as an RN at a hospital in Houston, Texas and had been in that position for six (6) years and five (5) months.
On or about April 11, 2020, through April 12, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Houston, Texas, RN improperly commenced tube feeding for a patient prior to radiological confirmation that the NG tube was correctly placed. Chest x-rays performed at 19:50 and 04:50 noted that placement of the NG tube terminated in the mid-esophagus. Thereafter, the patient deteriorated and the nurse on the following shift discovered the NG tube terminated in the throat, instead of the stomach, and stopped the tube feedings. Subsequently, the patient was intubated, at which time medical staff identified the NG tube coiled in the patient’s throat, the patient continued to deteriorate and, ultimately, expired that afternoon. RN’s conduct may have contributed to the patient’s demise.
Another incident happened on or about April 12, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Houston, Texas, and caring for the patient, RN failed to inform the physician at 01:09 regarding the NG tube placement issues and/or tube feeding resumption when RN contacted the physician regarding increased crackles auscultated in the patient’s lungs. RN’s conduct deprived the physician of pertinent information that could have led to earlier interventions to prevent the patient’s decline in condition.
In response, RN states that he verified placement by auscultation and heard stomach gurgling. RN states that at that point there was no need for a second x-ray as one had been performed previously that showed the NG tube placement in the mid-esophagus. RN states that after he advanced the tube, he verified observing gastric aspirants. RN states that he knew that the tube was in the gastrointestinal tract rather than the lungs. RN recognized that, ideally, he should have had a follow-up x-ray to confirm tube placement prior to commencing tube feeding. Furthermore, RN states that at the time the thinking of both the physician and RN was that the increased crackles in the patient’s lungs was due to fluid overload.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12.(1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found him guilty of his deeds. His RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. He did not hire a skilled Texas BON attorney to fully defend his case which led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Make sure that you will not make the same mistake as the RN mentioned above in his case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Contact a Texas nurse attorney today who can provide you with a confidential consultation and evaluate your case and counsel you on the best steps to take. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact Mr. An by calling or texting him 24/7 directly at (832) 428-5679.