Overdose can be accidental or intentional. An overdose occurs when a person or a patient takes more than the medically prescribed dose. In nursing care, it is the duty of the assigned nurse to see to it that the administered medication correctly coincides with the physician’s order of dosage. But if an RN neglected such duty or made a mistake during her or his shift, a patient’s life will be at risk. And if an RN is accused and being summoned by the Board, a nurse attorney will be such a great help on the case.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a hospital in Dallas, Texas, and had been in that position for seven (7) months.
On or about June 9, 2016, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Dallas, Texas, RN failed to adequately assess, administer physician-ordered medications, and/or appropriately and completely document the administration of said medications and nursing care rendered to a patient, who was awaiting transfer to the ICU. RN’s conduct resulted in an incomplete medical record and exposed the patient to a risk of harm in that failure to administer medications as ordered by the physician could have resulted in the non-efficacious treatment of the patient’s condition.
On or about June 18, 2016, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Dallas, Texas, RN administered Propofol to a patient in excess dosage of facility guidelines and the physician’s order and failed to document and/or completely and appropriately document the administration of the Propofol in the patient’s Medication Administration Record. RN’s conduct created an incomplete medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that the administration of medications in excess dosage of the physician’s order could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions, including suppression of breathing, low blood pressure, and asystole.
In response, RN states the records contain routine nursing notes documenting hourly rounding but do not contain the head-to-toe assessments completed by RN. Additionally, RN states that orders for nurse-administered medications were not entered until after RN’s shift and that another nurse was also assigned to care for the patient at the same time as RN. Furthermore, the RN states she mistyped the unit of measurement when making the nursing note. RN further states even if the dosage had been increased to 50mcg as written in the nursing note, the dose would still be within parameters.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
The evidence against the RN was strong. At the same time, she was not able to properly defend her case in court. As a result, her nursing license was revoked. She was no longer allowed to practice the nursing profession in the State of Texas.
Avoid a similar thing from happening on your end. Make sure to find the right defense lawyer in case a complaint will be filed against you before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). For more details or for a confidential consultation regarding accusations, it’s best to contact an experienced Texas nurse attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney who represented more than 150 nurse cases for RNs and LVNs for the past 16 years. You can call him at (832)-428-5679 to get started or to inquire for more information regarding nursing license case defenses.
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