Anyone can file a complaint against an RN 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 nurse defense 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.
On or about April 3, 2017, through March 24, 2018, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and assigned to provide nursing services for a patient, the LVN administered, and inaccurately documented that she administered, Albuterol and Xopenex to the patient at the same time. The patient’s plan of care stated that Xopenex was to be administered to the patient only if the Albuterol was not available, and vice-versa. Her conduct unnecessarily exposed the patient to a risk of adverse reactions.
On or about April 18, 2017, through March 24, 2018, while employed in the same medical facility, the LVN failed to provide Respiratory Care as ordered by the physician, including but not limited to: verifying pulse oximeter settings, changing the location of the pulse oximeter, providing cough assist and changing trach ties. In addition, she failed to document that she provided the Respiratory Care in the patient’s Treatment Administration Record (TAR).
The LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that failing to provide respiratory care and treatments as ordered by the physician could result in non-efficacious treatment and created an incomplete medical record.
The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction over all cases regarding errors committed by an RN or LVN. During the hearing, the LVN states this is a documentation error and that at no time the patient receives both medications at the same time. Regarding Respiratory Care, she states the patient received trach and g-tube. care as documented on the nurse’s notes. She further states it was not typical to document trach or g-tube care on a separate TAR.
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 RN, they should know how to protect and defend themselves. If not properly defended by a nurse defense 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 defense attorney who knows how to handle nurse cases. Attorney Yong J. An is a Texas nurse license 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.