Accusations are stressful issues for an RN or LVN, except when a Texas BON attorney assists you against the case. The Texas Board of Nursing is responsible for all hearings against RNs and LVNs undergoing a case that may revoke, suspend or only discipline their license. Take note that a skilled nurse attorney can also defend a nurse’s license against accusations.
At the time of the incident, he was employed as an RN at a hospital in Abilene, Texas, and had been in that position for six (6) years.
On or about August 16, 2020, through August 17, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Abilene, Texas RN failed to notify the physician when a patient had continuously decreasing episodes of bradycardia. Specifically, the physician had noted earlier in the day that the patient’s heart rate was in the fifties and the patient was asymptomatic. During RN’s shift the patient had a heart rate of thirty-six (36) at 1900, thirty-nine (39) at 0000, and twenty nine (29) at 0400. The rapid response team was not called, and there was no notification to the physician or the charge nurse. Additionally, RN incorrectly documented that the patient’s vital signs were stable, though the patient’s heart rate was decreased, and the patient’s blood pressure was not noted for over thirteen (13) hours. Subsequently, the physician reviewed the patient’s vital signs the following morning and transferred the patient to the telemetry unit. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from delayed treatment.
In response, RN states that he clocked into work at 1848, but did not have any contact with the patient until bedside report at 1914, at which time the patient’s heart rate had already dropped to thirty-six (36) and subsequently normalized. RN states that at 0000 the patient’s heart rate dropped slightly below forty (40) to thirty-nine (39). RN states that he noted the drop and called the certified nursing assistant (CNA) into the room. RN states that they both stayed in the room and assessed the patient. RN states that she watched the patient’s heart rate as it fluctuated in the forties, questioned the patient regarding her comfort level and pain level, and she was not in any distress. RN states that after reviewing the physician’s notes, RN saw that the physician noted that the patient was stable. RN states that he continued to monitor the patient throughout the night without issue. RN states that a similar episode occurred at 0400 and again he and the CNA carefully watched and questioned the patient. RN states that the patient’s heart rate normalized shortly after the drop. RN states that in hindsight he should have documented his conduct and any reductions instead of simply noting that the patient’s vitals had returned to normal.
The above actions constitute 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)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found him guilty of his deeds. His RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. He did not hire a skilled Texas BON attorney to fully defend his case which led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Make sure that you will not make the same mistake as the RN mentioned above in his 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.