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. This every nurse with a pending case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is to encourage hiring a nurse attorney.
Unfortunately, there are some RN and LVN who fail to find the right nurse attorney to handle their cases. As a result, most of them would be adjudged liable for the complaints. This usually leads to the revocation of a professional nursing license. This is what happened to an RN in San Antonio, Texas. At the time of the incident, she was employed in a hospital and had been in that position for two years already.
On or about February 24, 2015, the RN failed to notify the physician in a timely manner or call for a Rapid Response Team when a patient began to exhibit continuing signs of decreasing oxygen levels.
Initially, the RN administered oxygen to the patient by nasal cannula, without a physician’s order, and failed to document administration in the medical record. Three (3) hours later, when the patient’s oxygen levels declined again, the RN consulted with the Respiratory Therapist and the patient was placed on a venti mask followed by a 100% non-rebreather mask to maintain an adequate oxygen level.
Although the RN notified the physician and obtained an order for the oxygen and to administer Ativan to the patient, when the physician arrived at bedside shortly thereafter, the physician declined Respondent’s request to have the patient transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until after Arterial Blood Gasses (ABG) were obtained. Thirty (30) minutes later, Respondent was at the patient’s bedside, noted rapidly decreasing oxygen levels, and again notified the physician, who then ordered that a Code be called. The patient was pronounced deceased shortly after attempted resuscitation during the Code was unsuccessful. Her conduct may have resulted in delayed treatment of the patient’s changes in respiratory status.
Because of this, the RN was summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing to give her a fair chance to defend her case. She was given the chance to defend herself at the Board.
In response to the incident, the RN states she presumed an oxygen protocol was in effect because there was a nasal cannula connected to the oxygen regulator that was set at 2 liters. During her 5 a.m. assessment, the RN indicates she obtained oxygen saturation of 83% and then consulted the Respiratory Therapist who was present in the hallway. The RN and the Respiratory Therapist placed the patient on a venti mask, then 100% non-rebreather to maintain the oxygen level at 98%. She states she promptly contacted the physician and received oxygen orders over the phone and the physician, who was at the patient’s bedside within five (5) minutes, ordered Ativan 2mg be administered intravenously “now”.
The RN states she medicated the patient then asked the physician if he wanted to transfer the patient to ICU, but the physician explained that, given the patient’s history, he wanted to obtain ABG results and assess the effectiveness of the medication. She states when she was at the patient’s bedside and the patient’s oxygen saturation decreased rapidly from 98% to 78% with increased respiratory rate & effort, she immediately notified the physician at the nurse’s station and physician ordered a Code Blue to be called because the patient needed immediate respiratory ventilation support.
The RN states she and the physician remained at the patient’s bedside preparing for the code team’s arrival and, upon code team arrival, the ER physician proceeded to provide mechanical ventilation at the bedside. She states she has obtained a copy of and reviewed the criteria for calling the Rapid Response Team at her facility.
However, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty for the complaint against her and her license was suspended. She lost the case simply because she failed to find an effective and efficient San Antonio nurse attorney.
Avoid committing the same mistake she did. Find the right San Antonio nurse attorney in Texas to help you with your needs. Contact nurse attorney Yong J. An directly by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 for a discreet consultation