The accurate administration and labeling of medications are paramount instructions to ensure a patient’s safety and the effectiveness of treatments. Nurses are typically the individuals directly involved in the preparation and administration of medications, so they do bear such a significant responsibility in the field of medicine. Deviations from proper medication administration protocols may provide detrimental implications for patients and may raise concerns about the nurse’s competence and adherence to established procedures. In such cases, both fields of nursing and law will meet, wherein a skilled Texas nurse attorney is essential in assisting the RN. They are legal professionals with specialized knowledge in healthcare law and regulations. Texas nurse attorneys are well-equipped to help the RN understand the legal implications of the alleged medication errors and any potential consequences.
Here’s a case example provided:
Employed as an RN at a medical facility in College Station, Texas, and had been in that position for fifteen (15) years and a month.
While employed as an RN at the said medical facility, the RN failed to properly label and administer intravenous medications to a patient. It happened on or about the 12th of June, 2021. The RN mislabeled the intravenous tubing for Pitocin and Lactated Ringers. The Lactated Ringer was infused via the infusion pump at the titrated Pitocin rate, while the Pitocin was infused without the use of an infusion pump at an unknown rate. Later on that same day, while the RN was on a break, another nurse provided care to the patient, who requested an epidural, but realized that the tubing was marked “LR” when the medication was Pitocin: thus, making the other nurse administer an intravenous bolus of Pitocin. Subsequently, the patient’s fetus experienced a prolonged deceleration. It was a fortunate sight that even after what she had to go through she recovered. The RN’s actions were likely to inflict badly on the patient in her failure to correctly administer medications which could have resulted in a non-efficacious treatment.
As the RN’s take on the incident, she responded without the help of a Texas nurse attorney and stated that it was a hectic morning and she didn’t even have any idea why she did what she did. The RN was deeply apologetic about what happened.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action under Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13) Texas Occupations Code and are a violation of 22 TEX ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(M)&(1)(C) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(B)&(4).
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the RN enough time to defend the complaints filed against her. However, the RN’s failure to find the right Texas nurse attorney to handle her case led to the decision of the Texas BON to place the RN’s license under disciplinary action.
Secure your license with us now and equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN nurse attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse attorneys who helped represent more than 600 nurse cases over the past 18 years. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679 for a private consultation.