Allegations and complaints at work are serious cases, which is why a nurse attorney is needed if you get accused of this kind of scenario. However, there are some nurses who thought they were guilty of the charges failed to hire a nurse attorney just because they thought it’s the doom for their license already. But that is not entirely the case as there is still hope.
An LVN was employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at a medical facility in Grand Prairie, Texas. The LVN withdrew thirty (30) Hydrocodone 10/325mg tablets and eight (8) Hydrocodone 5/325mg tablets from the medication dispensing system for the three patients but failed to document and/or accurately and completely document the administration of the medication in the patient’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/or Nurse’s Notes. The LVN also dialed to follow the facility’s policy and procedure for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, which could result in an overdose. And also, the LVN’s conduct left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
As a response, the LVN denies any violation of the Nursing Practices Act or the Texas Controlled Substance Act. In that, the LVN states that any failure to completely document the administration of medications prescribed on an as-needed basis was due to understaffing of professional staff and her other responsibilities related to patient care on those shifts. The LVN, on those occasions, would make a note to pass along this information in her report to the oncoming nurse staff of the medication administration. As needed medications were not available to be obtained earlier than prescribed times due to the automated dispensing machines being utilized at the medical facility.
The following incident and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place the LVN and her license into disciplinary proceedings. She would have sought assistance from a good nurse attorney to provide clarifications towards the case.
If you’ve ever done any errors or misdemeanors during your shift as an RN or LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license, an experienced nurse attorney is what you need. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 14 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.