Allegations and complaints while at work is a serious case, which is why a nurse attorney is needed if you get accused of this kind of scenario. However, some who thought they were guilty of the charges failed to hire the right nurse attorney just because they thought it’s the doom for their RN or LVN license already. However, that is not entirely the case as there is still hope.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a hospital in Houston, Texas, and had been in that position for eight (8) years and one (1) month.
On or about March 29, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Houston, Texas, RN withheld phenobarbital and valproic acid for a patient, which were ordered to be administered to a patient via nasogastric/orogastric tube (NGT/OGT), and failed to consult and/or collaborate with the physician for a new route or verification to continue or discontinue the medications after the NGT/OGT was removed. As a result, the patient missed two (2) doses of phenobarbital and one (1) dose of valproic acid during her shift, and the patient experienced increased seizure activity on the following shift. RN’s conduct unnecessarily exposed the patient to increased seizures.
In response, RN states when this patient was due for his afternoon doses of phenobarbital and valproic acid, she found him to still be too lethargic to swallow the medication. RN states that due to his existing aspiration pneumonia, she did not believe it would be safe for him to take any medication by mouth. RN states she made a mental note to ask the intensivist for alternate orders so she could administer the patient’s medication via IV, but admits she became busy with other patients and forgot to get new orders prior to the end of her shift.
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)(C)&(1)(P) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
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 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.