In Texas, the government has created a special agency that has the jurisdiction to handle controversies and cases involving the nursing profession. This tribunal is called the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Every RN or LVN subjected to a disciplinary proceeding or administrative case before the Board is given an opportunity to be heard and defend himself from all accusations. Every nurse with a pending case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is encouraged to hire a nurse attorney.
At the time of the initial incident, an LVN was employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at a hospital facility in Tyler, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) month.
On or about December 11, 2018, the RN administered a Vancomycin through the dialysis catheter of a patient without a physician’s order to use the dialysis catheter for this purpose and against facility policy. Respondent’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from dialysis catheter complications.
On or about May 23, 2019, the RN incorrectly sent Tramadol prescribed for the patient, home with the patient at discharge. The following day, a staff member discovered the medication was missing and the Tramadol was retrieved. The RN’s conduct was likely to harm the patient from the effects of medication that was not prescribed by the physician.
On or about May 23, 2019, the RN failed to take precautions to prevent the misappropriation and/or loss of Tramadol prescribed for the patient when she sent the Tramadol home with a different patient who was being discharged. The RN’s conduct placed the facility in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about July 2, 2019, the RN also failed to provide a safe environment for the patient by sending him/her home with another patient’s medication. On July 9, 2019, the Quinapril blister pack was retrieved with pills missing, indicating that the patient had already taken some of the medication. The RN’s conduct exposed the patient to adverse effects of medication that was not prescribed by a physician, including low blood pressure.
As a result, the above incidents led to the decision of the board to discipline her license. She could have properly defended her side had she only hired an experienced nurse attorney to help her.
If you’re facing cases such as this, and you think that additional disciplinary action should not be applied anymore, then be sure to hire a nurse attorney who can fully assist you. Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for more than 14 years. To contact him for inquiries or to schedule a confidential consultation, dial (832) 428-5679 to proceed.