In the realm of healthcare, infection control is an absolute imperative, particularly in the provision of skilled nursing services where patients’ well-being is at stake. Nurses bear the responsibility of implementing stringent measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens, ensuring the safety of both the patient and the healthcare provider. However, there are regrettable instances when deviations from these rigorous standards occur, raising concerns about patient safety and professional conduct. In situations like these, nurses facing allegations or legal concerns related to infection control can greatly benefit from the support and expertise of a nurse attorney. They educate nurses on their legal rights and responsibilities, guiding them in cooperating with investigations and addressing the issues at hand.
At the time of the initial incident, he was employed as an RN with a home health service provider in Fort Hood, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and three (3) months.
On or about July 22, 2021, while employed as an RN with a home health service provider in Fort Hood, Texas, and assigned to provide skilled nursing to a patient, RN failed to implement measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens, in that he left a used glove on the patient’s dresser and did not clean the patient’s feeding tube extension. RN’s conduct exposed the patient to a risk of harm from contaminated tubing and supplies, including infection.
In response to the above incidents, RN states that his usual pattern of practice was to clean the area around the patient on a regular basis and consistently clean feeding tubes. RN adds that he does not recall this incident, but the patient was very active, and it would have been easy for anyone to accidentally leave a glove temporarily in an inappropriate place or miss a feeding tube cleaning, though he believes that he properly disposed of the glove and later cleaned the tube that day.
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)(D),(1)(M),(1)(O)&(2)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(4)&(6)(A).
A case was ultimately filed against him before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The said allegation was fatal to the RN’s capability to perform the essential functions and duties. Sad to say, the nursing defense attorney who handled his case was not able to properly defend his interests and rights before the Board. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) found him guilty of the offense alleged in the complaint and decided to place his RN license under disciplinary action.
If you also received a letter from the Texas Board of Nursing regarding a case or complaint filed against 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 attorneys who helped represent more than 500 nurse cases for the past 17 years. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.