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Nursing assessment skills are one of a nurse’ most valuable assets. This is the main reason why whenever someone filed a complaint against you involving negligence, your license could be put in danger if not defended by a nurse attorney.

On or about June 26, 2017, while employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Beaumont, the RN inappropriately ordered an x-ray for a patient without authorization from the physician. Her conduct exceeded her scope of practice and was likely to deceive the physician and other members of the healthcare team.

On or about July 12, 2017, while employed in the same hospital in Beaumont, the RN failed to collaborate with the physician, prior to allowing a patient who was having a non-stemi heart attack, to leave the facility against medical advice (AMA).

She did not notify the physician until after the patient had already left. Additionally, she incorrectly completed the AMA form by having the patient sign and acknowledged that he had spoken with the physician prior to leaving AMA.

When the physician became aware that the patient left the facility AMA, she contacted the patient and asked him to return to the emergency center. The patient was subsequently transferred to another hospital and treated for a blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. 

This conduct displayed by the RN created an inaccurate medical record and unnecessarily exposed the patient to risk of complications associated with a heart attack, including death.

The Texas Board of Nursing is the one who has full jurisdiction on cases involving RNs and LVNs. Therefore, the RN was summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing to explain her side. She states when she assumed care of the patient, she had already been discharged with a diagnosis of a left patellar fracture and she was asked to assist with crutch training.

The RN states when she entered the patient’s room, the patient was screaming in pain and grasping his left femur. She states her clinical manager ordered her to perform the x-ray,  and  further  states  she was  unable  to  locate the  ER  physician  during  this time.

The RN further adds  that  the  x-ray  showed  a  Salter  Harris  Type  1     right  femur  fracture. Regarding the AMA patient, the RN states that the patient was adamant that he wanted to leave the facility and not be transferred to the hospital. She states she spent about 20 minutes in the patient’s room educating the patient on heart attacks and offered to have the ER physician came speak with him.

The RN states the patient was angry when she told him he had to go to the hospital via EMS. She states the patient declined to talk to the physician and demanded that she remove his IV. She states at this point, she complied with the patient’s demands, and had the patient sign the AMA, with herself signing as a witness. 

However, the RN failed to hire a nurse attorney to help her with her case. Because of this, the Texas Board of Nursing suspended and disciplined the RN.

Do not fret if you find yourself in a similar situation same as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right nurse attorney who can help you in the case. 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 Yong J. An and text or call attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579