Anyone who wants to become a professional nurse in the state of Texas needs to go through several processes. This is the main reason why you should be careful when doing your job, or else, complaints or charges might be filed against you. Without the help of a nurse attorney, you might get suspended by the Texas Board of Nursing.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Schertz, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and six (6) months.
On or about December 26, 2019, January 9, 2020, and February 7, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN signed out four (4) tablets of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 7.5mg-325mg from the Individual Controlled Drug Record for the patient, and four (4) tablets of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 5mg-325mg from the Individual Controlled Drug Record for another patient., but failed to document and/or completely and accurately document the administration of the medications in the patient’s Medication Administration Records and/or nurses’ notes. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients which could result in an overdose. Additionally, 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 December 26, 2019, January 9, 2020, and February 7, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN signed out four (4) tablets of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 7.5mg-325mg from the Individual Controlled Drug Record for the patient., and four (4) tablets of Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 5mg-325mg from the Individual Controlled Drug Record
for another patient., but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of portions of the medications. The RN’s conduct left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the facility pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about December 26, 2019, January 9, 2020, and February 7, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN misappropriated four (4) tablets Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 7.5mg-325mg from the patient, and four (4) tablets Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 5mg-325mg for the patient or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation. Further, when confronted, the RN told the Director of Nursing that the RN administered the Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen tablets to two (2) other patients, patient 3 and patient 4, who had run out of their Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen; however, the Individual Controlled Drug Records, the Medication Administration Records, and Nurses Notes pertaining to the patients that did not show any Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen being administered to them during the period in question. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients of the cost of the medications.
In response, the RN states that she now understands her errors and that her intent was to serve her patients’ pain needs under difficult, limited circumstances.
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the RN sufficient time to defend herself from the allegation filed against her. However, there was a failure on the RN’s part to find the right nurse attorney to handle her case. This had caused and led to the discipline of the RN’s license.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas nurse attorney. Contact the Law Office of Nurse Attorney Yong J. An and text or call nurse attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579.