An RN’s role is one of immense responsibility, encompassing patient care, medication management, and accurate documentation to ensure the well-being of those entrusted to their care. However, there are unfortunate instances when an RN’s actions may deviate from the expected standards, resulting in serious consequences for patient safety and raising concerns about professional conduct. Facing such grave circumstances and potential legal repercussions, RNs can greatly benefit from the expertise and support of a nurse attorney. The nurse attorney’s guidance becomes particularly crucial when addressing issues of falsified medical records and safeguarding the RN’s interests throughout the legal process.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN and Program Director of an HCS Provider in Irving, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and one (1) month.
On or about August 12, 2021, through August 19, 2021, while employed as an RN and Program Director of an HCS Provider in Irving, Texas, RN failed to verify physician medication orders and accurately transcribe medications onto the Medication Administration Record (MAR) of a newly admitted patient. Budesonide, Vitamin D, Lisinopril, and Levothyroxine were omitted from the MAR. Additionally, prescribed aspirin and multivitamin doses were not initialed as given during this time. Subsequently, the patient did not receive all ordered medications including those prescribed for her diagnoses of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient collapsed at her day habilitation program on August 19, 2021, and expired. RN’s conduct resulted in an inaccurate and incomplete medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that failure to administer medications as ordered by the physician could result in non-efficacious treatment of the patient’s cardiac and respiratory conditions.
On or about October 16, 2021, while employed as an RN and Program Director of an HCS Provider in Irving, Texas, RN submitted falsified medical records to the Texas Board of Nursing for the aforementioned patient. RN provided a Medication Administration Record (MAR) that had additional medication entries, signatures indicating medication administration by RN, and blood pressure and oxygen saturation readings that were not present on the original MAR reviewed by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services after the patient’s death. RN’s conduct was deceptive.
In response, RN states that upon arrival at the group home, the registered nurse reviewed and accurately transcribed all the medications onto the MAR. RN states that all medications were correctly and timely administered to the patient by RN herself, and she denies that any were missed. RN adds that she did not cause or contribute to the patient’s demise
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) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(6)(A)&(6)(H).
However, without enough evidence to prove she’s not guilty, the RN lost the case. This is the reason why the Texas Board of Nursing placed her RN license under disciplinary action.
Do not be stressed or anxious if you find yourself in a similar situation as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right RN/LVN license attorney who can help you in the case. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.