As a nurse and being assigned to a certain role, you need to perform or carry out the role as you are expected to do it right. Being a nurse comes with a lot of responsibilities but just one mistake could turn your career upside down. A lot of RNs can’t avoid circumstances of unexpected events but they can avoid further consequences or punishments to happen with the help of a nurse attorney.
An incident happened on or about April 2019; an LVN worked at a rehabilitation facility in Edinburg, Texas, and had been there for nine (9) months.
On Saturday, April 13, 2019, the LVN remotely entered electronic orders for a patient. These orders were for Ertapenem, an antibiotic administered intravenously, for the Patient’s urinary tract infection and 5
milligrams of Eliquis, to decrease the chance of the Patient (who was mostly bed-bound during her rehabilitation) developing deep vein thrombosis. The physician intended that administration of both medications would begin that day.
New electronic orders would appear on the smart board that nurses were to check at the beginning and end of their shift, as well as during their shift. The Electronic orders appeared on the smartboard in real-time, first with green notifications. As an incomplete order got close to being late, it would appear on the board as yellow; after one hour, it would turn red.
The orders for the Patient were entered during the LVN’s shift on April 13, 2019. The LVN also worked a shift on the following day, April 14, 2019. The LVN did not administer the ordered medication to the Patient during either shift. The orders were not initiated until Monday, April 15, 2019, when a different nurse noticed them and administered the medication. The delay in administering the ordered medication placed the patient at risk of serious harm. Specifically, she was at risk for developing sepsis or deep vein thrombosis.
The LVN is subject to sanction because he committed unprofessional conduct and practiced below minimum standards of nursing care by conduct as the LVN’s actions shown above including failing to initiate medication orders.
This LVN’s conduct is subject to sanction pursuant to Texas Occupations Code § 301.452(b)(10) and (13), and 22 Texas Administrative Code 217.11(1)(A), (B), (C), (M), (O), and 217.1 2(1)(A), (B), and (4).
The LVN could have received a different ending result if he had consulted and ask assistance from a nurse attorney. But he failed to hire a nurse attorney that has led to the decision of 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. Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse lawyers who have helped various nurses in their cases since 2006. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.