It’s best to seek the help of a nurse attorney when facing different complaints and allegations. However, some nurses tend to face these results instead without thinking that nurse attorneys are always reliable for matters such as these.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital facility in Denton, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and two (2) months.
On or about August 28, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to completely and accurately document in her flowsheet notes that the patient was on contact isolation precautions. The behavior of the said RN resulted in an inaccurate flow sheet.
It was on or about October 30, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to appropriately intervene, including failure to obtain a provider order for hand mittens, for the patient, who was confused and constantly biting her hands. Instead, the said RN inappropriately allowed the patient care technician to apply Kerlix and adhesive tape around the patient’s fingers in an attempt to protect the skin. The RN also failed to document any notes regarding nursing interventions specific to the hand-biting. The actions of the RN created an incomplete medical record.
On or about the 8th of November, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to accurately monitor urinary output every four (4) hours per provider order for the patient, who was experiencing acute urinary retention. The said RN also failed to notify the provider the patient did not have any urinary output during her shift. The oncoming shift conducted a bladder scan which revealed the patient’s bladder contained more than 999ml of urine. The RN’s conduct exposed the patient to the risk of injury from adverse complications of urinary retention, including possible bladder rupture.
In regards to the incidents, the RN mentioned that she did place the appropriate sign outside the patient’s room and all equipment was set up for the patient. The said RN also states she reported to the on-coming nurse the patient was on contact isolation. The RN further states she did not enter the contact isolation precautions on the flowsheet, though all other interventions were completed.
The RN also added that the patient had dementia and kept biting her hands, and when she assumed the care, the patient’s hands were wrapped with Kerlix, but the hands were all wet with saliva and some blood. It was also stated by the RN that the tech removed the kerlix and changed the wrapping to silk tape.
Additionally, the RN stated that an order for a one-time straight catheterization was placed by the physician three days prior. Catheterizations were documented in the medical record on November 6, 2018, and November 8, 2018. The off-going nurse reported to the RN that the patient was voiding and this was not from catheterization. Therefore, the RN understood at the time that the patient was voiding.
However, with the incidents that happened, the RN failed to get help and was not able to provide a good defense for herself. Therefore, the Texas Board of Nursing placed her nursing license to a disciplinary action instead.
If you also received a complaint regarding a case filed against you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse lawyers who helped various nurses in their cases since 2006. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.