The profession of an LVN demands meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to medical orders, as patient well-being hinges on the accuracy and precision of healthcare interventions. However, there are unfortunate instances where LVNs may find themselves entangled in serious medication errors, jeopardizing patient safety and facing legal repercussions as a result. When facing such critical situations and potential legal consequences, LVNs can greatly benefit from the expertise and support of a nurse attorney to seek the best possible outcome while preserving the LVN’s professional reputation.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an LVN at a health care center in Galveston, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) week and one (1) day.
On or about April 30, 2019, while employed as an LVN at a health care center in Galveston, Texas, LVN was accused of the following:
- While caring for Patient A whose blood sugar was 594 at 20:45, LVN received an order from the on-call physician to administer 5 units of Novolog now to the patient, recheck the patient’s blood sugar in one hour, and administer another 5 units of Novolog if the patient’s blood sugar was still over 300. Mistaking a thirty-unit insulin syringe for a 3-unit insulin syringe, LVN incorrectly administered 35 units of Novolog, instead of the ordered 5 units, to Patient A. After one hour, the patient’s blood sugar was 453 and LVN repeated the error by administering another 35 units of Novolog. Subsequently, on or about May 1, 2019, the blood sugar for Patient A was 21 at 05:30, and the patient was transferred to the emergency department. LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from the administration of excessive doses of insulin.
- While caring for Patient B, whose blood sugar was 457 at 21:00, LVN mistook a thirty-unit insulin syringe for a 3-unit insulin syringe, and incorrectly administered 140 units of Humulin N to the patient, instead of 14 units of Humulin N, as ordered. Subsequently, on or about May 1, 2019, the blood sugar for Patient B was 34 at 05:20. LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from the administration of excessive doses of insulin.
In response, LVN states that she went to her cart to draw and then administer the insulin in response to the order she received. LVN states that there was a new bag of syringes that was different from what was usually there. LVN states she attempted to open one syringe, which had a stopper covering the plunger. LVN states that she had a hard time opening it, and when it did open the plunger came out with the stopper. LVN states she noticed the plunger was as thin as a toothpick, LVN states she disposed of that syringe and retrieved another, which also opened with difficulty. LVN states that she then looked at the top number, which had what appeared to be a 1.0, and thought to herself that it was strange and that it was a 3-unit syringe. LVN states that she had never seen the normal 100-unit syringes. LVN states that she then noted the bag said petite across it and thought to herself that it must be a pediatric syringe purchased in error. LVN states she did not realize the error until the following day when she returned to work and had time to ask the Director of Nursing why they had purchased 3-unit needles. LVN states that about twenty minutes later, the Assistant Director of Nursing came to her and asked for the syringes in question. LVN states she provided the syringes, received the usual 100-unit syringes for her use, and proceeded with her work. LVN states that she later met with the Director of Nursing who told her that they were 30-unit syringes. LVN states that she was surprised and showed the Director of Nursing why she thought they were 3-unit syringes. LVN states that this was an error and she never meant to hurt anyone.
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) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(B)&(4).
The Texas Board of Nursing then subjected the LVN and her license into disciplinary action. The accusation would have been defended by an experienced and skilled Texas Nurse Attorney, had the LVN hired one. Hiring a Texas Nurse Attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
For more details and to schedule a confidential consultation, you must approach one of the most experienced Texas Nurse Attorney, Yong J. An. He is an experienced nurse attorney who represented more than 300 nurse cases for RNs and LVNs for the past 16 years. You can call him at (832) 428-5679 to get started or to inquire for more information regarding nursing license case defenses.