Anyone can file a complaint against an LVN with the state board for any reason. When this happens, all complaints need to be taken seriously no matter how trivial or unfounded they may appear. A Fort Worth nurse attorney is someone who can help you defend your license when the state board summoned you. This incident that an LVN committed in 2018, was one of those examples. L191018N4370
On or about July 14, 2018 through July 15, 2018, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in a children’s hospital in Fort Worth and assigned to the med-surgical unit, the LVN tied the arms of a patient to the bed rails with rolled gauze.
Furthermore, the patient did not have an active order to restrain. Subsequently, when questioned about the incident, the LVN admitted to management she restrained the patient.
The LVN’s conduct have contributed to emotional, physical, and/or psychological harm to the patient and could have interfered or disrupted this patient’s treatment.
The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction over all cases regarding errors committed by an RN or LVN. In response to the incident, the LVN states around 1030pm she received a call from the ICU nurse informing her that her patient was off telemetry. She states when she went into the room she found the patient’s gown and tele monitor on the floor next to the patient’s bed. The LVN states the patient allowed her to put the gown and monitor on.
The LVN further claims about 15 minutes later she received a second call from ICU stating the monitor was off again. She explains when she went to the room this time she noticed the patient seemed to be agitated and angry. The LVN states as she reached for the telemetry box the patient began hitting her and grabbing her uniform pants.
Additionally, the LVN explains the patient began to crawl out of bed and started screaming out profanity. The LVN states she called out for assistance from the patient care tech but discovered no one was on the floor. She states patient became irrational pulling on the bed railings and getting out of the bed. The LVN states patient stated, “I am going to kill you when I get up!”. She states she felt she needed to use whatever means was necessary to keep the patient safe as well as herself.
The LVN explains she stayed in the room the whole time with the patient. According to her, thirty minutes passed and the patient became calmer. She states the gauze was removed. The LVN regrets the situation and knows restraints require orders and proper documentation. She continues that she never meant to harm or hurt her patient in any way.
The work that nurses do is often unappreciated. And sometimes, a bit of negligence could lead to a more serious scenario such as filing a suit against them. If this happens to an LVN, they should know how to protect and defend themselves. If not properly defended by a nurse attorney, their license could even be suspended or revoked.
If you are summoned to appear before a licensing board regarding a disciplinary incident, you will need an experienced nurse attorney who knows how to handle nurse cases. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is a Texas nurse license defense lawyer that has a proven track record. He has over 12 years of experience handling Texas BON disciplinary action cases and has helped protect the license of numerous nurses in Texas. For a confidential consultation, call or text him at (832) 428-5679.