An experienced nurse attorney has surely helped a lot of RNs and LVNs when it comes to cases that may lead to disciplinary action. Unfortunately, not all nurses were able to hire a nurse attorney as they underwent such cases.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital facility in Irving, Texas, and had been in that position for six (6) months.
On or about October 10, 2018, through October 1 1, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to intervene and/or notify the physician when a patient had oxygen saturations ranging between 84-95% throughout his shift.
On or about October 10, 2018, through October 1 1, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to completely reassess and/or document the vital signs which were recorded by the telemetry monitor. The RN failed to document the nursing interventions taken to address the abnormal vital signs or to make corrections to any inaccuracies recorded by the telemetry monitor within the medical record. There was no documentation of reassessment and/or indication of vital signs being reassessed for accuracy. The RN’s conduct created an incomplete medical record.
In response, the RN stated throughout his shift, the oxygen saturation of a patient had decreased to the mid-’80s when he assisted her to the bathroom and the telemetry was disconnected so he increased the flow of oxygen to 3 liters per nasal cannula to sustain an oxygen saturation within the nineties. The RN also states that the patient did not complain of shortness of breath, was able to walk unassisted to the bathroom with no shortness of breath, and had a diagnosis of COPD; therefore, there was no need to notify the physician of the patient’s temporary desaturation. In addition, the RN states that per the unit’s protocol, all vital signs are recorded by the telemetry monitors. Also, the RN states that he documented an initial assessment of the patient upon her arrival to the unit and felt that she exhibited no change in her baseline status that warranted a focused assessment, per policy.
The following incident and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place the RN and her license into disciplinary proceedings. She would have sought assistance from a good nurse attorney to provide clarifications for the case.
If you’ve ever done any errors during your shift as an RN or LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license, an experienced nurse attorney is what you need. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, an experienced nurse lawyer for various licensing cases for 14 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.