Ensuring timely and comprehensive patient assessments, as well as accurate documentation of patient events, are integral components of nursing practice, especially in environments where patient well-being is of paramount concern. Unfortunately, there are instances when these fundamental responsibilities may not be met, raising critical concerns about patient care and professional conduct. In situations such as these, nurses facing allegations or legal concerns related to patient care and documentation can greatly benefit from the expertise and support of a nurse attorney. Nurse attorneys are well-versed in the legal intricacies surrounding these incidents and can offer critical guidance in navigating the complexities.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a correctional facility in Frisco, Texas, and had been in that position for ten (10) years and five (5) months.
On or about October 5, 2021, while employed as an RN at a correctional facility in Frisco, Texas, RN failed to perform an assessment including obtaining vital signs, and failed to document events when the patient stated that he could not breathe, required supplemental oxygen, and needed to move his bowels. Subsequently, the patient experienced continued respiratory distress, altered mental status, and then became unresponsive requiring resuscitation. The patient was transferred to the hospital where he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and expired the next day from sepsis due to necrosis of the ascending and transverse colon and aspiration bronchopneumonia. RN’s conduct resulted in an incomplete medical record and was likely to injure the patient from clinical care decisions based upon incomplete assessment information.
In response, RN states that at 0500 a.m., a security officer called her to the patient’s room. RN states that the patient was complaining of the need to move his bowels, and she notified the two registered nurses who had been caring for the patient during the night. RN states that she assisted the nurses with gathering information on the patient and in good faith expected they were providing complete documentation and notification to the provider.
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)&(2)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the RN enough time to defend the complaints filed against her. However, there was a failure on the RN’s part to find the right RN/LVN license attorney to handle her case. The negligence of the RN/LVN license attorney led to the decision of the Texas BON to place the LVN’s license under disciplinary action.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN nurse attorney. 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. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679 for a confidential consultation regarding any accusations from the Texas BON.