As a nurse, there are a lot of responsibilities to take care of and need to do properly. Even a single error can harm a patient and it can put you into a bad situation that you did not wish to be in. You can be accused of a lot of stuff, like being accused of lacked fitness to practice, inaccurate documentation, drug-related issues, and many more. There is only one way to prove your innocence or to lighten the sanction that you will be receiving or protect your license from suspension or revocation, the only way is to have a nurse attorney during these hard times. A nurse attorney is there to help you deal with any cases.
At the time of the incident, the RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a medical facility in Lewisville, Texas, and had been in that position for seven (7) years and ten (10) months.
The incident happened on or about February 10, 2019, the RN was assigned and caring for an inmate who presented with chest pain, the RN failed to properly supervise a Licensed Vocational Nurse who assessed the inmate. Specifically, a Licensed Vocational Nurse assessed the inmate and reported the condition to the RN, who inappropriately determined that the inmate could leave the clinic and return to his cell, Additionally, the RN failed to perform and/or document an assessment of the inmate and the reported chest pain in the inmate’s medical record. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from lack of appropriate nursing and medical care.
And on the same day, the RN was caring for an inmate, who presented with chest pain, the RN failed to ensure the proper chest pain protocol was being used; instead, a musculoskeletal protocol was used to document the patient’s chest pain. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from delayed diagnosis and treatment of possible cardiac arrest.
On or about February 10, 2019, the RN was caring for an inmate, who presented with chest pain, the RN failed to obtain an order for an electrocardiogram (EKG) and correctly interpret the EKG. Additionally, The RN failed to notify the physician of the patient’s change in condition and abnormal EKG results. Subsequently, the inmate returned to his cell and approximately thirty-eight (38) minutes later was found unresponsive. Despite resuscitative efforts, the inmate expired on the unit. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from lack of appropriate nursing and medical care, including possible demise.
In response, the RN states that she was supervising the shift, including the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The RN states that the LVN was called out to a building on the unit for a complaint of “an inmate in distress.” The RN also states that according to the LVN, when he arrived, the inmate refused care but was ordered by the Sergeant present to go to the infirmary. She also states that while the inmate was in the infirmary, he reluctantly allowed his vital signs to be taken and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to be completed, then he became belligerent and refused to allow the LVN to take care of him any further.
The RN states that this was when she went to the triage room to speak to and assess the inmate. She also states that he again refused any type of care or treatment. The RN states that she advised the inmate that his blood pressure was elevated, and his electrocardiogram did not look normal. She added that the inmate became even more agitated and began using threatening language. She told the inmate she would get the refusal forms, but the inmate continued to escalate and the Sergeant did not wait for the inmate to sign the form and escorted him out of the clinic and back to his building. The RN states that as the inmate had refused care and left the clinic, she did not place a call to the on-call provider at the time. The RN states that she was planning on having the inmate seen by a Provider on Monday. She states that shortly after that, they received another call to the same building. And she states that the LVN went back out to the building, taking a wheelchair and jump bag, but after he left the clinic another call came over the radio for a gurney, so she then went to the building. She states that it was the same inmate, but he was now unconscious. She states that she took over care on her arrival and placed the automated external defibrillator (AED) pads on the inmate. She states that when the AED was in place, it advised one (1) shock, which was delivered, then cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was continued as he was taken to the unit clinic. The RN also states that lifesaving measures were provided per the training. The RN states an ambulance was on the way and they took over when they arrived.
As a result, the actions of the RN were grounds of violation, enough to put the RN into disciplinary actions by the Texas Board of Nursing. Failure to hire a Texas BON lawyer for full defense has led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing. Hiring a nurse attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.