This is just one of the many cases why every nurse in Texas is expected to act with prudence in practicing their profession. Gross negligence, disobedience or any form of offense on the part of a RN/LVN is never excused. Therefore, consulting a nurse attorney in any case against an RN/LVN is crucial to avoid being disciplined by the BON.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an LVN at a hospital in San Angelo, Texas, and had been in that position for six (6) years and eleven (11) months.
On or about May 5, 2020, while working as an LVN at a hospital in San Angelo, Texas, LVN failed to correctly administer an insulin intravenous (IV) drip to Patient CD, per physician orders. Specifically, LVN mixed the insulin and hung it via piggyback to the patient’s intravenous site, rather than connected to an IV infusion pump, as required. There was not an intravenous pump in the patient’s room, so LVN left to get one. When LVN returned to the room, the insulin had been infused within minutes of LVN hanging it. Subsequently, the patient, who was awaiting transfer to a higher level of care, had to receive additional testing and monitoring before the transfer could take place. LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from adverse effects of critically low blood glucose, including neurological damage and possible demise.
In response, LVN states that while caring for this patient a medication error did occur. LVN states that while preparing the patient for transport the physician ordered an insulin drip to be started. LVN states that the insulin drip of one hundred (100) units of regular insulin was mixed with one hundred-fifty (150) milliliters of normal saline and spiked with primary tubing and hung in the patient’s room on an IV pole and tubing was connected to the patient, which was a mistake. LVN states that she should have connected the tubing to the pump, then to the patient. LVN states that she regrets connecting it the way she did while in a rush preparing for patient transport. LVN states that she then had to leave the room to go find an IV pump, which was located on the other side of the hospital. LVN states that upon returning to the room, it was noted that about half of the insulin bag had been infused. LVN states that she immediately removed the tubing from the patient’s arm and took a syringe and withdrew what he could from the IV hub. LVN states that she then yelled for the physician. LVN states that the physician entered the room and orders for repeat labs in forty-seven (47) minutes were received. LVN states that the physician asked for the amount that was infused. LVN states that she was unable to count the wastage on the floor after removing IV tubing from the hub, but that there were forty (40) milliliters left in the bag itself. LVN states that she and the physician both stayed in the patient’s room and assessed and monitored the patient for seizures or rhythm changes. LVN states that after a three (3) hour hold for transport, labs were redrawn, and the patient was transferred for a higher level of care. LVN states that a report was called to the hospital concerning the patient’s condition and they were notified of the medication error. LVN states that the patient was not transferred due to the error, but due to the patient’s condition prior to the error. LVN states that after the error was made, the patient was stable before transferring. LVN states that she contacted her supervisor immediately and made a medication error report.
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)(M)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
Because of this, the LVN was summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing to defend her side but the LVN failed to hire a nurse attorney to help her with her case and without proper defense, the Texas Board of Nursing then decided to place her LVN license under disciplinary action.
If you also received a letter from the Texas Board of Nursing regarding a case or complaint filed on you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas nurse attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse attorneys who helped represent more than 300 nurse cases for the past 16 years. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679 for a confidential consultation regarding any accusations from the Texas BON.