Accusations are stressful issues for an RN or LVN, except when a nurse attorney assists you against the case. The Texas Board of Nursing is responsible for all hearings against RNs and LVNs undergoing a case that may revoke suspend or only discipline their license. Take note that a nurse attorney can also defend a nurse’s license against accusations.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a health facility in Pasadena, Texas, and had been in that position for less than one (1) month.
It was on or about January 17, 2019, through April 15, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to document/enter medication into the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for the patient. Specifically, Ondansetron four (4) milligrams and Sumatriptan five (5) milligrams were brought to the hospital facility with a signed permission form to be administered as needed. The failure of the RN resulted in inaccurate medical records and was likely to injure patients in that subsequent caregivers would not have reliable information on which to base their care decisions.
On or about February 21, 2019, through April 15, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to ensure that the medication count was completed and accurate for the patient. Subsequently, there were 3 tablets not accounted for in the count. The RN’s failure resulted in an inaccurate medical record.
It was on or about February 28, 2019, through April 15, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the said RN failed to ensure that the medication dose did not exceed the authorized dosage for the patient. Specifically, the student’s parents authorized two and one half (2.5) tablets of Tylenol Junior Strength to be administered as needed for pain. The RN entered the incorrect dosage of three (3) tablets into the Electronic Health Record (EHR). The patient received the incorrect dosage of the medication on three (3) different dates. Additionally, the RN failed to ensure the medication was accurately counted and/or documented. Upon medication reconciliation, there were six (6) tablets unaccounted for. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from adverse reactions from unauthorized doses of medication administered.
The RN recalls that the hospital facility was audited by the Health Coordinator both onsite and remotely on several different dates, and the most recent audit happened less than a month prior to the last date of her employment and of the audits, none of the listed allegations, nor the need for remedial action, was found. The RN also pointed out that the number sets for the cabinets and drawers were accessible by numerous individuals and further claimed that these individuals could have accessed any number of medications without her knowledge because she left the cabinets in her clinic unlocked. The RN reports that keeping the cabinets open for access was a common practice except for all those controlled medications, which were always double-locked and only unlocked when there was a need to administer or refill, as advised by her mentor.
The above-mentioned incidents and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to discipline the RN and her license. The probability of saving her license from disciplinary actions would have been higher if she had sought assistance from a good nurse attorney.
Have you ever done any errors during your shift as an RN/LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license?
An experienced nurse attorney is what you need. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact now the Law Office of Atty. Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679 for a confidential consultation.