The accurate and thorough documentation of patient care is the cornerstone of healthcare, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment and that their well-being is protected. However, some RNs found themselves deviating from these set standards and practice erroneous documentation. In situations like these, the guidance and support of a nurse attorney are invaluable. Nurse attorneys specialize in the intersection of nursing practice, ethics, and the law. They can provide vital assistance to nurses facing such challenges by addressing legal and professional concerns.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a health care facility in Bryan, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and one (1) month.
On or about January 15, 2022, through April 26, 2022, while employed as an RN at a health care facility in Bryan, Texas, RN inaccurately documented nursing notes for four (4) different patients. For all these patients, RN copied and pasted her nursing notes verbatim other than vital signs in the narrative section of the medical note, and used notes documented by other nurses and social workers instead of documenting her own assessment of the patients. RN’s conduct resulted in inaccurate medical records that exposed the patients unnecessarily to the risk of harm in that subsequent care givers would rely on her documentation to provide further care.
In response to the above incident, RN states she considered “copy and paste” to be a valuable tool to be able to have all notes synced in by 8:30 AM the next workday. RN states she did copy and paste from previous notes, but never did it thinking that she was being deceitful.
The above action constitutes 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)(D)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(4)&(6)(A).
The Texas Board of Nursing then subjected the RN’s license to disciplinary action. The accusation would have been defended by an experienced and skilled nurse attorney, had the RN hired one. Hiring a nurse attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
Always remember that anyone can file a complaint against an RN/LVN with the state board for any reason. When this happens, all complaints need to be taken seriously no matter how trivial or unfounded they may appear. A nurse attorney is someone who can help you defend your license when the state board summons you. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 17 years and represented over 500 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.