Any charges filed against an RN or an LVN could badly affect their license and their career as a nurse. This is why a nurse should never neglect the need to hire a nurse attorney for defense when such a circumstance happens.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Staff Registered Nurse at a hospital in Mesquite, Texas, and had been in that position for four (4) months.
It was on or about July 25, 2017, through September 1, 2017, while employed as a Staff Nurse, the RN withdrew Hydromorphone 1mg injections from the medication dispensing system for the five patients, but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedure for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The RN’s conduct left unused Hydromorphone unaccounted for and may have placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
And or about August 7, 2017, through August 8, 2017, the RN failed to document her assessment of the urinary catheter and perineal care of a patient. The RN’s conduct resulted in an incomplete medical record.
Then on or about August 25, 2017, the RN withdrew one (1) Hydromorphone 1mg injection from the medication dispensing system for a patient but failed to document and/or completely and accurately document the administration of the Hydromorphone in the patient’s medication administration record (MAR). The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patient, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, the RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
In response, the RN states that all narcotic medications were administered to patients based on physician orders and all incidents of waste were personally witnessed and occurred in the presence of not only the nurse who was the witness but that waste was likewise recorded on camera/video. At no time was the RN ever asked to submit to drug testing by her employer. In addition, the patient was taken care of by two RNs on 8/24-25/2017 with both nurses pulling and administering medicines as the patient had a high acuity level.
As a result, her RN license was disciplined and suspended by the Texas BON. She did not have an experienced attorney to fully defend her case led to this decision by the Texas BON. And then decided to voluntarily surrender her license. You should have to be wise in dealing with any case and hire a nurse attorney for help to avoid decisions that you will surely regret later on.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of nurse attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by call or text 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for nurse attorney Yong.
