Nurses are always at risk for accusations of medical malpractice, and negligence. If someone filed a complaint against them, their license could be put in danger if not defended by a nurse attorney. An RN from Texas is just one of the many examples of nurses who were charged with medical malpractice and failed to hire an effective nurse attorney.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital facility in Temple, Texas, and had been in that position for seven (7) years and one (1) month.
On or about June 13, 2018, through June 14, 201 8, while employed as a Registered Nurse and functioning as the Charge Nurse, the RN may have failed to assess and/or document her assessment of a patient, after the Respiratory Therapist reported changes in the patient’s respiration. The RN’s conduct may have created an incomplete medical record and deprived subsequent caregivers of vital information regarding the patient’s status.
On or about June 13, 2018, through June 14, 201 8, while employed as a Registered Nurse and functioning as the Charge Nurse, the RN may have failed to ensure that the assigned LVN transferred the patient for a STAT computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head in a reasonable time frame. The RN’s conduct may have deprived the patient of timely medical intervention.
In response, the RN states she had been off work for two days. She started her rounds as charge nurse and the patient was located on the stable med/surg. unit not on the acute unit because she was considered stable. When the RN arrived at this patient’s room, the patient was very lethargic and unresponsive. The RN states she discussed the patient’s unresponsiveness with the assigned LVN because the RN was not familiar with the patient. A Licensed Vocational Nurse told the RN the unresponsiveness and lethargy were not a new presentation and the medical records supported this. At about 2300, the Respiratory Therapist (RT) reported changes in the patient’s respiration to the RN. The RN then states that she reassessed the patient but saw no changes in comparison to her initial rounds. Later, the assigned Licensed Vocational Nurse reported to the RN that the RT had received a verbal order (VO) for a stat computerized tomography (CT) scan from the Pulmonologist, but the RT would not write the order. The RN states she instructed the LVN to call the Pulmonologist or Primary Physician to clarify the order. The RN continued to check with LVN to see if she had heard from either doctor. Around 0200-0300, a Nurse Practitioner called back. The RN assisted the assigned nurse to complete transfer paperwork. The RN states she was busy throughout the shift assisting another nurse with another patient who was critical and crashing. When the RN realized the transfer had not occurred. The RN states she instructed the Unit Secretary to complete the transfer.
Because of this, the RN was disciplined by the Texas Board of Nursing. Furthermore, the RN failed to hire a nurse attorney to help her with her case.
If someone filed a case against you involving malpractice or negligence, it is wise to consult with a nurse attorney who knows everything about nurse cases.
Consult with Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, today if you have any questions about your disciplinary process. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An and text or call attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579