The provision of accurate and timely medical care is crucial, particularly in home healthcare settings where patients rely on the expertise and diligence of RNs/LVNs. However, there are unfortunate instances where lapses in care occur, leading to serious concerns about patient well-being and the nurse’s professional responsibilities. Such actions can have severe consequences for patient health and raise significant legal concerns about the LVN’s competence and adherence to professional standards. To address these legal matters and protect the LVN’s rights, a nurse attorney can provide vital legal expertise, guiding the LVN through potential disciplinary proceedings and advocating for a fair resolution while addressing the allegations in a just and appropriate manner.
Case Incident: Allegations of Medication Administration and Documentation Issues
She had been working as an LVN for a home health care provider in Texarkana, Texas, for two (2) years and three (3) months when the incident occurred.
From January 2, 2020, to February 25, 2020, while working as an LVN for a home health care provider in Texarkana, Texas, the LVN failed to provide fifteen (15) scheduled medications to a patient as directed by the physician, without properly recording them on the medical charts. The LVN’s actions were likely to cause harm to the patient since neglecting to deliver medications as prescribed by the physician could result in ineffective treatment and/or an incomplete medical record.
Another incident which has transpired on January 3, 2020, through February 11, 2020, while working as an LVN for a home health care provider in Texarkana, Texas. The LVN submitted numerous incompleted nursing visit notes for the same patient which could have resulted in fragmented medical records and were likely to harm the patient since future caregivers would not have comprehensive information on which to base their judgments.
In response to this, the LVN stated that she administered all of the medication prescribed for the patient. LVN added that because the charting system lacked a recognized MAR, she had to write down each medicine she administered on the accessible charting system, making it difficult to establish an actual system that showed what meds were administered and when. The LVN claimed that the insufficient and mismanaged nursing notes both on her part and the company’s.The LVN added that it was tough to keep up with nurses’ notes since there were continuously changing guidelines about how to submit notes and what needed to be noted.
Further to the investigation, the evidence received by the Board was sufficient to prove the LVN’s conduct and violation(s). It became more difficult when the LVN failed to hire a nurse attorney to defend her as well as her license from the allegations. As a result, the LVN lost the case because there was inadequate evidence to prove she was innocent. Hence, the Texas Board of Nursing took disciplinary action against her LVN license.
If you ever find yourself in a situation like this, it is advisable to seek the help of a qualified nursing attorney, as it may help you win your case. To get the greatest possible support, seek out a nurse attorney who has experience and knowledge in a variety of nursing issues. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is eager to assist any nurse in need of quick assistance with nurse license matters. For the past 16 years, he has been an experienced nurse attorney for numerous licensure disputes. For a confidential consultation or further information, please call (832) 428-5679.