Every practicing RN license holder in the state of Texas is required to follow certain rules and regulations imposed by the government. These laws and statutes were implemented to ensure that the safety of the patients is protected by the state. The nursing profession is not an easy journey. An RN who commits any violation can place her RN License in jeopardy. The Texas Board of Nursing has the authority to revoke or suspend an RN license in the country for as long as there is a justifiable reason. Any action that may compromise the career of a nurse, but can be defended properly by a nurse attorney should the nurse provides a good reason.
At the time of the incident, the RN was employed at a hospital in Denton, Texas, and had been in that position for four (4) months.
An incident involving an RN from Denton happened on or about August 26, 2017, through September 29, 2017, the RN withdrew Alprazolam from the Medication Dispensing System for patients in excess frequency and/or dosage of the physician’s orders. The RN then administered the medication without a valid physician’s order. And also, the RN failed to accurately and completely document the administration of the medications in the patient’s Medication Administration Records(MAR) and/or Nurse’s Notes. She eventually failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. And even misappropriated the medication and failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation.
The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that the administration of medications without a valid physician’s order. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients in that the administration of Alprazolam in excess frequency and/or dosage in physician’s order could result in the patients suffering from adverse reactions. Lastly, the RN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and 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. Furthermore, the RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
In response to the incidents above, the RN denies withdrawing Alprazolam for multiple patients in excess of physician’s orders. The RN denies withdrawing Alprazolam or administering Alprazolam without a proper physician’s order. The RN also denies failing to properly document the administration of Alprazolam and Dilaudid. The RN denies failing to document the wastage of medications pursuant to facility policy and procedures. And lastly, the RN denies misappropriating oral and injectable medications.
As a result, her RN license was disciplined and suspended by the Texas BON. She did not have an experienced attorney to fully defend her case led to this decision by the Texas BON. And then decided to voluntarily surrender her license.
You should have to be wise in dealing with any case and hire a nurse attorney for help to avoid decisions that you will surely regret later on. Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of nurse attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by call or text 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for nurse attorney Yong.