False documentation and failure to administer medicine in a timely manner are some of the typical errors or mistakes committed by nurses. These mistakes may become grounds for nursing malpractice, and if being accused, you need a nurse attorney to help you with it.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years now.
An incident happened that involves the RN, it was on or about January 19, 2019, the RN failed to administer Heparin to a patient as ordered by a physician, the RN documented her justification for missing the dose as “patient not available”, but when questioned, Respondent admitted to having the dose in her pocket and forgetting about it. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that failure to administer medications as ordered by the physician could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment.
And on or about January 20, 2019, the RN falsely documented an assessment of the patient’s left peripheral IV; however, the IV had been infiltrated, discontinued, and, prior to her shift, moved to the right. The RN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and failure to assess the patient as ordered could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment.
In response to the incidents, the RN admits to entering the patient’s room with the Heparin and the patient being in the shower. The RN states because she didn’t know how long it would take she charted the patient was unavailable at that time; she didn’t want a medication error. The RN states that she didn’t return the medication because her intention was to wait until the patient was finished and then administer the Heparin. She also states that she placed the medication in her pocket to wait on the patient, but was distracted and then forgot to give the patient the Heparin. She states that during the night shift the agency nurse discontinued using the central line and used the left PIV, which was then infiltrated. The night shift nurse moved the IV to the right arm but did not change it in the electronic charting system. She added that the next morning when she came on duty and assessed the patient, she failed to notice the site had not been changed from left to right in the charting system and charted on the left side. The RN stated she discontinued using the right PIV and connected the patient to the central line.
As a result, the RN will be subject to discipline may be given a sanction for the inappropriate actions that she did. It that the evidence received is sufficient cause pursuant to Section 301,452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code. The RN could have not been in such a situation if she had consulted and hired a nurse attorney for the case. Hiring a nurse attorney is what a nurse need when facing the Board.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.