Nurses are always at risk for accusations of medical malpractice or negligence. If someone filed a complaint against you, your license could be put in danger if not defended by a nurse attorney. An LVN from Abilene, Texas is just one of the many examples of nurses who were charged with negligence and failed to hire an effective nurse attorney.
On or about March 6, 2020, while employed as a Staff Nurse at a hospital in Abilene, Texas, LVN failed to verify the correct insulin ordered on the medication administration record (MAR) and attempted to scan a bottle of Lantus insulin to administer to a patient. The patient was ordered Aspart insulin to treat his elevated blood glucose reading of 317mg/dl. LVN’s conduct could have exposed the patient to a risk of harm from failure to follow safe medication administration processes.
Another incident happened on or about March 16, 2020. LVN failed to verify the correct insulin ordered on the MAR, failed to scan the selected insulin, and failed to have a second nurse verify the insulin prior to administering the insulin to a patient. Subsequently, LVN incorrectly administered three (3) units of Lantus insulin to a patient instead of three (3) units of the ordered Aspart insulin for a pre-meal blood glucose reading of 391mg/dl. LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from ineffective treatment.
In response, LVN states that when she returned to work in January 2020 after being out since October 2019 for surgery, she didn’t get assigned to the medication cart very often, so she wasn’t as comfortable with medication administration. LVN adds that the unit was often understaffed especially on her 3:30 pm to midnight shift. LVN states that on March 6, 2020, she scanned an insulin bottle, but the computer didn’t accept the scan, so LVN immediately replaced the insulin bottle into the top drawer of the medication cart where it is normally kept. LVN indicates that she hadn’t pulled up any medication to be administered or gone into a patient’s room. LVN explains that she was still getting used to the generic insulin names that the Veteran Administration used instead of the brand names. LVN states that on March 16, 2020, she was surprised to be assigned to the medication cart as she was usually assigned to work the floor. LVN states the Nurse Educator was observing her during medication administration when the wrong insulin was administered. LVN also points out she became nervous when she was being followed with the medication cart.
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)&(2)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
However, without enough evidence to prove she’s not guilty, the LVN lost the case. This is the reason why the Texas Board of Nursing placed her LVN license under disciplinary action.
Do not be stressed or anxious if you find yourself in a similar situation as that of the LVN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right RN/LVN license attorney who can help you in the case. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.