In order to provide patients with thorough and ongoing care, nurses must accurately and promptly document patient assessments and treatments. Regrettably, inadequate documentation can pose a threat to patient safety and cast doubt on the nurse’s commitment to upholding professional standards. Such carelessness might cast doubt on the RN’s competence and compliance with established procedures, as well as have major effects on patient safety. A nurse defense attorney can offer crucial legal knowledge to manage these intricate legal issues and defend the rights of the registered nurse (RN). They can also guarantee a just and comprehensive inquiry and represent the RN’s best interests in responding to the accusations.
At the time of the initial incident, the affected party was employed as an RN at a correctional facility in Dallas, Texas, and had been in that position for four (4) years and seven (7) months.
It was the 3rd of September, 2020, while on duty the RN failed to notify the provider regarding the change in the condition of the aforementioned patient. After the RN was called to the room to assess the patient, who had a recent “HI” glucose reading, the patient was found on the floor with feces on his clothes; was weak; and had low oxygen saturation requiring administration of supplemental oxygen. Subsequently, the patient was sent to dialysis before being returned to the medical unit due to altered mental status and labored respirations and was then transferred to the hospital by emergency medical services. The RN’s action resulted in a delay in emergency treatment for the patient that was needed to prevent further complications.
In the RN’s response to the first incident, she stated that she helped the other RNs with the said patient and performed an assessment, but she was not assigned to care for the patient, so the other nurse was responsible for documenting every test that was done to the patient. Moving on, as the RN’s defense to the second incident, the RN stated that the other registered nurse approached her while she was busy with her own patients and stated that the patient’s glucose reading was “HI.” The RN added that she reminded the nurse that he needed to inform the physician of the patient’s condition. Furthermore, around shift change, a call went out that the patient was on the floor, and all the nurses responded. Finally, the RN stated that other nurses were present when she arrived with the vital signs machine, and she assisted in cleaning and repositioning the patient.
The above action constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13) Texas Occupations Code and is a violation of 22 TEX ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M)&(1)(P) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
The Texas Board of Nursing disciplined the RN’s license without valid evidence to defend her side of the story furthermore, her failure to hire a Texas nurse attorney has led the RN to this misfortune.
There are over 300,000 nurses (RN LVN NP) but 16,000 complaints are filed before the Board. If you wish to be one of those equipped and safeguarded RNs, LVNs, APRNs/NPs all you need to do is to find the right nurse defense attorney who can help you in the case. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An has been an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years. The law firm has responded to numerous nursing cases and knows the in and out of nurse license disciplinary procedures. The law firm also currently represents over 180 cases, with representation periods ranging from 1 to 3 years or more. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An through text or call at (832) 428-5679. We are available 24/7.