In the realm of healthcare, vigilance and timely assessment of patients’ vital signs are of utmost importance to ensure their well-being. Nurses, as front-line caregivers, play a crucial role in monitoring and responding to changes in a patient’s condition, especially when vital signs indicate a potential issue. Failure to promptly and accurately assess and document vital signs, as well as to communicate concerning changes to the patient’s care team, can have serious consequences for patient health and safety. Ensuring compliance with nursing standards and protocols is critical. A nurse attorney can provide guidance on these standards and advise on potential legal issues.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an LVN at a medical facility in McKinney, Texas, and had been in that position for three (3) months.
On or about July 8, 2021 through July 10, 2021, while employed as an LVN at a medical facility in McKinney, Texas, and providing care for a patient, LVN failed to appropriately obtain and/or document vital signs for the patient, although an out-of-range oxygen saturation level of 77% was recorded July 8, 2021, which noted the patient was on Room Air rather than his Nasal Cannula. Further, LVN failed to notify her supervisors and/or the patient’s physician of the out-of-range oxygen saturation level. LVN’s conduct likely delayed the onset of nursing interventions and medical treatment for low oxygen saturation.
In response to the above incident, LVN reports she realizes repeat vital signs should have been taken on the patient and if she had to do it over again it would be done differently. The patient often refused to wear oxygen, and on this date, he did not appear to be in any distress.
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)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(2)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(4)&(6)(A).
A case was ultimately filed against her before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The said allegation was fatal to the LVN’s capability to perform the essential functions and duties. Sad to say, the nursing defense attorney who handled her case was not able to properly defend her interests and rights before the Board. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) found her guilty of the offense alleged in the complaint and decided to place her LVN license under disciplinary action.
If you also received a letter from the Texas Board of Nursing regarding a case or complaint filed against you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse attorneys who helped represent more than 500 nurse cases for the past 17 years. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.