False documentation and inaccurate medical record 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 the right nurse attorney to help you with it.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed at a hospital in Garland, Texas, and had been in that position for five (5) years and seven (7) months.
On or about April 30, 2020, the RN failed to document in the medical record of the patient, assessment data following an incident involving a patient injury. The RN’s conduct resulted in an inaccurate medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would not have complete information on which to base their care decision.
On or about April 30, 2020, the RN also failed to report an incident involving a patient injury, to a physician. Consequently, it was discovered three (3) days later, the patient had suffered a bone fracture as a result of the unreported incident. The RN’s conduct exposed the patient unnecessarily to risk of harm in that failure to report an injury in a timely manner resulting in the patient not getting the care they needed.
In response, the RN states a CAN reported to her that she bumped a patient’s footrest on the door facing her while taking her to her room in a wheelchair. The RN states she was down the hallway when this occurred. The RN states after the patient were assisted to their bed, she spoke with the patient and the patient stated she was “ok”. She also states upon assessment, no injuries were noted. She then states that on May 1, 2020, the same patient complained of pain in the right foot, and she was medicated with Ibuprofen, which the RN states was ordered and documented. And that she noted some swelling. She wanted to speak with the Director of Nursing to see what to do about the matter; however, she was unavailable at the time. The RN states she had to order medications before the weekend and her day was busy, and at that point in time, she had no further complaints from the patient. The RN states the day was busy and at shift change, there was a head injury, which the Director of Nursing came around for. The RN states she got distracted by an urgent personal matter and failed to discuss the patient with her Director. The RN states, there is no excuse for not documenting. She states she requested to do late documenting but the administrator denied her.
Because of this, the LVN was summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing. However, she failed to hire an experienced nurse attorney to help her defend her side of the story.
The RN failed to properly present and defend her case against the court. She was disciplined warning to suspension of her LVN license by violating Texas Board of Nursing regulation.
Avoid a similar thing from happening on your end. Make sure to find the right nurse attorney in case a complaint will be filed against you before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Consult with Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An today if you have any questions about your disciplinary process by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 day, night or weekends.
