Documentations have been a signature specialty of a skilled nurse attorney when handling cases for some nurses. However, some nurses tend to forget this fact because they really felt like they should be responsible even if they never intended to commit such an error.
On or about November 22, 2016, a RN from Dallas withdrew one injection of Hydromorphone and four vials of Morphine from the medication dispensing system for patients without a valid physician’s order. In addition, she administered these same medications to patients without a valid physician’s order. Subsequently, the RN also failed to document completely and accurately document the administration and of the medication in the patient’s Medication Administration Records and nurses’ notes.
The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that subsequent care givers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients, which could result in an overdose. Her conduct was also likely to injure the patients, in that the administration of medications without a valid physician’s order could result in the patients suffering from adverse reactions, and her conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled substance Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
This issue was filed as a complaint and sent to the Texas Board of Nursing. The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction in all cases that may affect the status of an RN or LVN’s license in the future. But they advise nurses to attend a hearing first before placing the sentence, which the RN attended for her career’s security.
However, the RN failed to hire an effective nurse attorney to help her defend her side. As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing placed her RN license to disciplinary action. It’s too bad that she failed to hire a nurse attorney for assistance, knowing that she had every reason to defend herself in the first place. Her defense would have gotten better if she actually sought legal consultation from a Texas nurse attorney as well.
So if you’re facing a complaint from the Board, it’s best to seek legal advice first. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is willing to assist every nurse in need of immediate help for nurse licensing cases. To contact him, please dial (832)-428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.