In nursing care, there is a need to have a system in giving the best care to patients depending on the patient’s need. Having such a system, giving care will be smooth if it is carefully followed. There are patients that need minimal care and there are patients that need monitoring as possible as 24/7, this all depends on the patient’s symptoms or diagnosis. If a nurse failed to monitor a patient in a timely manner, there is a high risk of harm or injury to the patient. Accusations and complaints will be raised and the Board will summon you, if this happens, a nurse attorney will always be willing to help with such cases.
At the time of the initial incident, the RN was employed as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Director of Nursing Services at Garland, Texas, and had been in that position for nine (9) months.
It was on or about December 2018, through March 2019, the RN failed to develop a system, and communicate this system to facility staff, to ensure all nursing staff identified insulin-dependent diabetic patients requiring prompt meal assistance and all applicable interventions were included in the patient’s care plans. The RN’s conduct deprived the patients of appropriate meal accommodations and unnecessarily exposed the patients to a risk of harm from inadequate food intake and/or inappropriate diet.
On or about March 11, 2019, the RN failed to monitor and supervise the nursing care and performance of tasks by her nursing staff in that the RN failed to ensure that a blood sugar check was performed for the patient and/or the RN failed to ensure that the patient’s blood sugar level and interventions were documented in the medical record. The RN’s conduct unnecessarily exposed the patient to the risk of harm from complications associated with undetected hyper/hypoglycemia and/or created an incomplete medical record.
And on the same day, the RN failed to monitor and supervise the nursing care and performance of tasks by her nursing staff in that the RN failed to ensure that the aforementioned patient received her Renvela 800mg and Carbidopa 25mg-Levodopa 100mg, as ordered and as scheduled at 0800. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that failing to administer medications as ordered by the physician could result in non-efficacious treatment.
In addition, the RN failed to monitor and supervise the nursing care and performance of tasks by her nursing staff when they failed to adequately monitor and recognize a change in the condition of the patient. The patient had a diagnosis of diabetes with end-stage renal disease, was on isolation for shingles, had limited communication ability, and was totally dependent on staff for all medical and ADL care. The patient was later discovered by the occupational therapist (OT) to be cold, unresponsive, and stiff from rigor mortis. The RN’s conduct deprived the patient of the opportunity for timely resuscitation and may have contributed to the patient’s demise.
In response to incidents, the RN states: The allegations are unfounded. The RN has been a nurse for almost thirty (30) years, and her actions reflected her dedication to those she serves. The patient received consistent blood sugar monitoring under the RN’s leadership. The patient’s nurse conducted an assessment immediately after starting her shift, and she observed the patient to be sleeping. Later that morning, a facility nurse checked patient’s vitals, including her blood sugars. The blood sugars were within normal range, but the subsequent events, which happened so rapidly, prevented the nurse from documenting the results. The patient then received her breakfast tray, and she was observed to be in a state of sleep. At least five (5) people entered the patient’s room that morning, and no one noted any distress until the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (“COTA”) came in for patient’s therapy.
Upon receiving notice that the patient was not responsive, the staff immediately responded. The RN’s staff did not fail to identify a change of condition; they properly and promptly identified the change and swiftly intervened. The Facility staff attempted to arouse the patient, called 911, and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”). Immediately upon hearing the code, the RN ran to the patient room and took over chest compressions. EMS arrived within minutes, but patient A was pronounced dead. The cause of death was determined to be acute cardiac arrest.
As a result of the incident, the Texas Board of Nursing or referred as the Board has received the information needed for the proceedings. The information received by the Board produced evidence that may put or subject the RN to be discipline in pursuant to Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code.
Every trial, proceedings or hearings, an RN is entitled for a legal counsel or someone who can represent him/her to the court. A nurse attorney can do that for you. A nurse attorney is someone who can defend and protect your license from such cases. Failure to hire a nurse attorney will put your license into suspension or worst, revocation.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.