Documentations have been a signature specialty of a 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.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an LVN at a hospital in Temple, Texas, and had been in that position for fourteen (14) years and three (3) months.
On or about May 8, 2020 while employed as an LVN at a hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, LVN failed to document the assessment of vital signs, oxygenation and/or pain of a patient who experienced symptoms, including perineum pain, not relieved by oral pain medications, vaginal pressure, and blood clots on her first postpartum day. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgery for a vaginal hematoma. LVN’s conduct created an incomplete medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to provide additional care.
In response, LVN states she checked on the patient at approximately 14:05, saw clots in the toilet, and assisted the patient back to bed. At approximately 14:20, LVN checked again, and the patient was back in the bathroom complaining of pressure, pain like she needed to have a bowel movement, and dizziness like she might pass out. LVN observed more clots in the toilet, helped the patient to bed again, and put the patient on the blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter. LVN felt an abnormality during a manual vaginal exam and manually removed more clots. LVN states she notified the charge nurse and physician who then determined the patient required surgical intervention. LVN states the patient was taken for surgery within an hour of the time the physician arrived.
The above action constitutes grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE ยง217.11(1)(A),(1)(B)&(1)(D).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty of her deeds. Her LVN license was subjected to disciplinary action. She did not hire a skilled Texas BON attorney to fully defend her case which led to this decision by the Texas BON.
Make sure that you will not make the same mistake as the LVN mentioned above in her case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Contact a Texas nurse attorney today who can provide you with a confidential consultation and evaluate your case and counsel you on the best steps to take. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact Mr. An by calling or texting him 24/7 directly at (832) 428-5679.