A nurse in Houston who was practicing as an RN (Registered Nurse) at a hospital in Houston faced disciplinary action for misappropriation of Synthroid and ended up receiving a sanction of Warning with Stipulations.
In June of 2014, a nurse who was employed as an RN in a Houston hospital misappropriated Synthroid that belonged to a particular patient or failed to take the appropriate precautions to prevent such misappropriation. In addition, the nurse admitted to taking the medication for his own personal use. The nurse’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients of the cost of medications, and a is a violation of Chapter 481 of the Texas Health & Safety Code (Controlled Substances Act).
The nurse did not deny the allegations. He further stated that he had been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and that in order to treat it, he has to take Synthroid on a daily basis. If his hormone level is not properly maintained or he runs out of medication, it can cause him to experience a number of unpleasant side effects.
In June of 2014, he said that he ran out of his medication and was not able to obtain a refill in time because he had changed his primary care physician and could not get an appointment to see his physician for many weeks. He began feeling a bit sick but did not believe that this condition required a trip to the emergency room or urgent care. He experienced stress, an upset stomach and was also suffering from allergies. As it got later in the evening, his symptoms worsened and he remained stressed out.
As the nurse took his 24-hour report into the medication room, he noticed in the report that one of his patient’s was on the same medication Synthroid. He opened the drawer to see what medication the patient took and believing that the patient had already taken their medication; he proceeded to take the medication for himself.
Houston nurse law attorney advises to not take medication from the hospital or medical center you work at for yourself, as you may find yourself facing disciplinary action for your behavior by the Texas BON.
There are many reasons a nurse in Texas may face disciplinary action by the Texas BON and some of those reasons may result in a warning or license suspension; however, more serious offenses can even lead to revocation of one’s nursing license.
Are You Facing Disciplinary Action by The Texas BON?
If you are facing disciplinary action by the Texas BON for any reason, the best course of action is to take the matter seriously and make sure you respond to all correspondence by the BON in a timely manner.
If you are not sure how to best respond to the BON, it is advisable to consult an experienced nurse attorney who has handled cases similar to yours and helped Texas nurses save their nursing license and/or reduce the charges they may face.
Trying to handle the situation without any professional guidance may impact the end result, so it is better to be proactive when you first become aware that there may be a problem. Being proactive may increase your chance of a more favorable outcome in your case.
Consult a Houston Nurse Law Attorney Today
Contact the Law Firm of Yong J. An today to speak directly to Mr. An by calling or texting him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679. Mr. An has over 10+ years’ experience handling Texas BON cases and assisting nurses successfully prepare for their BON hearing.