Anyone can file a complaint against a nurse 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. An Arlington nurse attorney is someone who can help you defend your license when the state board summoned you. This incident that a nurse committed in 2017, was one of those examples.
On or about June 13, 2017, through June 14, 2017, while employed as a nurse in a medical facility in Arlington, the nurse failed to completely and accurately assess and document the vital signs of an Intensive Care patient while administering a dopamine infusion as per physician orders. Her conduct created an incomplete medical record and exposed the patient to the risk of harm from potentially adverse complications of undetected and untreated changes in cardiac status, including possible demise.
On or about October 23, 2017, the nurse stopped a continuous Heparin infusion for a patient without a physician’s order, while transferring the patient to another unit. Upon arrival at the new unit, there were no infusion pumps available. She also failed to obtain an infusion pump or restart the Heparin infusion.
Additionally, the RN failed to notify staff in the receiving unit of the patient’s arrival. Her conduct created an improper hand-off report and exposed the patient to the 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 October 19, 2017, the RN failed to properly label a syringe containing insulin with the identifier of the intended patient; furthermore, she left the unlabeled syringe exposed and in plain view on her workstation. Her conduct left the medication unsecured and subject to misappropriation and diversion.
During the hearing, the RN states other nurses in the unit assisted with mixing and initiating medication drips while the patient was undergoing cooling protocol. She states the patient was being transferred to a lower level of care and she notified the receiving unit the patient was currently on a Heparin drip and an ordered lab specimen was due in two hours.
In response to the other allegations, the RN states she did have a syringe of insulin on her personal mobile workstation while preparing a patient for discharge. She also states a misunderstanding of facility labeling procedures was the root cause of the syringe not being labeled in accordance with hospital standards.
The RN further states the Propofol was taken along during patient transport as the neurologist wanted it administered en route. She also states the Propofol was returned to the unit charge nurse and appropriately wasted.
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 a nurse in Arlington, they should know how to protect and defend themselves. If not properly defended by an Arlington nurse 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 Arlington nurse attorney who knows how to handle nurse cases. Attorney Yong J. An is an Arlington nurse license defense lawyer that has a proven track record. He has over 12 years of experience handling Texas Board Of Nursing 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.