Timely and comprehensive assessment of patients is fundamental for nurses to ensure the well-being of their patients. However, there are unfortunate instances when healthcare professionals, such as LVNs and RNs, may fall short of these critical standards, potentially compromising patient safety. In situations like this, the guidance of a nurse defense attorney is invaluable for navigating the legal and ethical complexities surrounding inadequate patient assessments, ensuring accountability, and protecting the rights of the healthcare professional involved.
In a recent incident at a healthcare facility in Harlingen, Texas, the LVN failed to fully assess a resident when she had a sudden change in condition, including yelling, flailing her legs and arms, and incoherent and uncooperative behavior. Specifically, LVN failed to obtain the resident’s blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood glucose. The resident sustained multiple injuries during the above-referenced episode, and upon arrival of EMS, the resident was noted to have a critical blood glucose level of 28 mg/dL. Subsequently, the resident was admitted to a hospital. LVN conduct was likely to injure the patient from potentially adverse complications of undetected and untreated fluctuations in blood glucose.
The LVN responded to the situation without seeking advice from a nurse defense attorney. She stated that the report she received during hand-off was poor, which resulted in her being unaware of the patient’s status as a diabetic. When she called the physician’s assistant on call, he said that it was a psych problem and not to send the patient to the hospital, as they would just send her back. The LVN mentioned that the insulin reaction was atypical and unlike any, she had seen before, and the oncoming nurse didn’t think it was an insulin reaction as she didn’t assist in her care or even mention it could be her blood sugar. The patient’s violent behavior required constant hands-on work to prevent the patient from falling, and the LVN feared the patient would hit her head on the tile floor, causing increased trauma. As a result, the LVN was unable to leave the patient long enough to get the medicine cart, unlock it, and get the equipment to check the patient’s vital signs. On the second call to the physician’s assistant, he stated to send the patient to the hospital, but still insisted it was a psych issue, not a medical issue.
After the board’s investigation, the LVN was found guilty of her deeds. Hence, the Texas Board of Nursing(BON) placed her LVN license under disciplinary action.
If you ever undergo cases such as this, it’s best to seek the assistance of a good nurse attorney as it could make the case better in your favor. Be sure to find a nurse attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in several nurse cases to ensure the best assistance possible. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is ready to assist every nurse in need of immediate help for nursing license cases. He is a seasoned nurse attorney with 18 years of experience handling a wide range of nursing license cases. He has successfully represented over 900 nurses before the Texas Board of Nursing, demonstrating his deep understanding of nursing regulations and his ability to effectively advocate for his clients.
Contact him directly 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for a free legal consultation or for more inquiries regarding nursing license cases.