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An experienced nurse attorney has surely helped a lot of RNs and LVNs when it comes to cases that may lead to disciplinary action. Unfortunately, not all nurses were able to hire a nurse attorney as they underwent such cases.

On or about June 6, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse at a health facility in Galveston, Texas. The RN withdrew one (1) vial of Hydromorphone 2mg/ml from the medication dispensing system for a patient. But failed to completely and accurately document the administration of the medications in the patient’s Medication Administration Records and/or nurses’ notes. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on his documentation to further medicate the patient, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, it placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 

It was on or about June 6, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN  withdrew one (1) vial of Hydromorphone 2mg/ml from the medication dispensing system for a patient, but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The conduct of the RN left medications unaccounted for. And was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 

On or about June 6, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the said RN failed to take precautions to prevent the misappropriation of one (1) vial of Hydromorphone from the patient. The RN’s conduct may have defrauded the facility and patient of the cost of the medications. 

It was on or about October 29, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew five (5) syringes of Morphine Sulfate 10mg/1ml (50mg) from the medication dispensing system for the patient in the excess frequency of the physician’s orders. The conduct of the RN was likely to injure the patient, in that the administration of Morphine in excess frequency and/or dosage of the physician’s order could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions. Additionally, it placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 

On or about October 29, 2016, and November 1, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew seven (7) syringes of Morphine Sulfate 10mg/1ml (70mg) from the medication dispensing system for the patient, but failed to document and/or completely and accurately document the administration of the medication in the patient’s Medication Administration Records and/or nurses’ notes. The failure of the RN was likely to injure the patient, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on his documentation to further medicate the patient, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, it placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 

It was on or about October 29, 2016, and November 1, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew twelve (12) syringes of Morphine Sulfate 10mg/ml (120mg) from the medication dispensing system for a patient but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The RN’s failure left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. 

On or about October 29, 2016, through November 2, 2016, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to take precautions to prevent the misappropriation of seven (7) vials of Morphine 10mg/ml and an additional twenty-four (24) milligrams of Morphine Sulfate from the patient. The RN’s failure may have defrauded the facility and patient of the cost of the medications. 

Concerning the events that occurred, the said RN states that he was never trained by his preceptor or told to document the administration of medication, and the CRNA/Anesthesiologist had access to the MAR, so it was the CRNA’s failure to document, and not his. Furthermore, he was not trained correctly by his preceptor and was never told he had to document verbal orders, or every narcotic he administered to patients, and he was never taught by his preceptor to waste a narcotic by getting another nurse to witness the waste. 

The following incident and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place the RN and her license into disciplinary proceedings. She would have sought assistance from a good nurse attorney to provide clarifications for the case.

If you’ve ever done any errors during your shift as an RN or LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license, an experienced nurse attorney is what you need. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, an experienced nurse lawyer for various licensing cases for 14 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.