Every administered medication of patients should be accurately and completely documented. Also, it is very important that all medications should be administered to the patients correctly. However, if an RN makes a mistake in administering the medication and fails to document the administration of the medication, he/she will be facing disciplinary action from the Board. If this happens, an RN should seek help from a nurse attorney.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a hospital in Temple, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and five (5) months.
On or about March 6, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Temple, Texas, RN was accused of the following:
- RN failed to administer Ketamine Pain IV/IO 0.2mg and Etomidate IVP 6mg, to a patient, as ordered by a physician. Furthermore, the RN advised staff to stop the patient’s drip because the RN had mixed and administered an Etomidate drip instead of a Ketamine drip. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the resident in that failure to administer tube feedings, treatments, and medications as ordered by a physician could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment.
- RN withdrew Ketamine-Pain IV/IO 0.2mg and Etomidate IVP 6mg from the medication dispensing system for a patient but failed to document and/or accurately and completely document the administration of the medication in the patient’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/or Nurses’ Notes. Additionally, the RN failed to document an error that had occurred. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patient, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, the RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
The RN responded with her side of the story and stated that the physician ordered the use of Ketamine and Etomidate and that she drew up the Ketamine, moved the patient into the procedure room, placed the patient on monitors, and then proceeded to administer what she thought was the Ketamine drip. She left the room to pull the Etomidate and realized she had “made a huge mistake.” She immediately told staff to stop the drip and then assessed the patient. She stated, “I had made a mistake and I am the first to admit it.” The RN mentioned that after the procedure, she charted all the vital signs and protocol charting for sedation under the appropriate template but did not post a note in the chart about the incident or ask the physician to change the ordered dose of the Etomidate so she could chart what was given, because she was distracted and in a hurry. RN declined that she intentionally falsified a chart, but rather that she made a mistake, immediately reported it, and did not try to hide it.
The RN wasn’t able to As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to place her RN license under disciplinary action. It’s too bad that she failed to hire a nurse attorney for assistance, knowing that she had every reason to defend herself in the first place. Her defense would have gotten better if she sought legal consultation from a Texas nurse attorney as well.
Let a Nurse Attorney evaluate your case before presenting it before the board. Contact us Today!
Once a complaint is lodged against you, always seek a Nurse Attorney’s advice first before making an appearance in front of the board. The chances of your case getting dismissed become smaller when you give out reasons and explanations, especially without presenting any proof to support your claims.
Nurse Attorney Yong J. An has represented over 300 nurses and his professional expertise rendered some of the best results easing his clients’ worries. Find relief in seeking for Atty. An’s advice and allow him to guide you and resolve your case. Call this number now (832)-428-5679.