RN’s responsibility of ensuring accurate and meticulous documentation of patient information lies at the core of providing safe and effective care. However, there are instances when an RN’s actions may inadvertently lead to errors in patient management, potentially endangering patient well-being and raising concerns about professional conduct. During such critical times and facing potential legal implications, RNs can greatly benefit from the support and guidance of a nurse attorney to defend RN’s license.
At the time of the incident, he was employed as an RN at a hospital in Georgetown, Texas, and had been in that position for three (3) years.
On or about May 19, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Georgetown, Texas, RN failed to document the laboratory results RN received via phone call from the hospital lab for a patient, including verbal read back, result value, and name of staff reporting the value. Additionally, RN relied on the verbal laboratory results to incorrectly enter an order for platelet transfusion of one (1) unit to the patient, and incorrectly initiated a platelet transfusion for the patient using the verbal results he received from the laboratory. Additionally, RN failed to correctly document the initiation and discontinuation of the platelet infusion, including initial baseline vital signs. Specifically, no vital signs were documented in the blood transfusion flowsheets, as required. RN did not complete or discontinue the platelet infusion in the patient’s medical record. Subsequently, the patient’s platelet count was finalized by the laboratory and recorded in the patient’s medical record to be sixteen (16), and not nine (9) as the RN stated he was told by the laboratory via phone. RN’s conduct exposed the patient to a risk of harm from unnecessary administration of platelets without confirmation of correct laboratory results.
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)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B)&(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 nurse 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.