When it comes to disciplinary proceedings before an administrative body in the state of Texas, the first thing that you need to take into consideration is to hire the best nurse attorney. This lawyer can help any RN or LVN defend herself and try to prevent the revocation of their RN / LVN license.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a medical facility in Tyler, Texas, and had been in that position for three (3) years and four (4) months.
On or about September 22, 2018, through September 25, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the said RN withdrew two (2) injections of Morphine 4mg/1ml and one (1) injection of Hydromorphone 2mg/1ml from the medication dispensing system for patients without a valid physician’s order. The conduct of the RN was likely to injure the patients, in that the administration of medications without a valid physician’s order could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions, and placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
It was on or about September 22, 2018, through September 27, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew nine (9) injections of Morphine 4mg/1ml from the medication dispensing system for a patient but failed to administer the medication as ordered in that the medication was administered in the excess frequency of the physician’s order. More specifically, the RN administered the Morphine to the patient before it was due. The action of the RN was likely to injure the patient in that the administration of medication in excess frequency and/or dosage of the physicians’ orders could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions. Additionally, the RN’s actions placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about September 22, 2018, through September 27, 2018, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the said RN withdrew thirteen (13) injections of Morphine 4mg/1ml and three (3) injections of Hydromorphone 2mg/1ml from the medication dispensing system for patients but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedure for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The behavior of the RN 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.
In response to the incident that happened, the RN states it was impossible to administer medication without an order as the hospital had protocols in place to avoid such errors, and that once the medication was removed from the dispensing system, it was administered as ordered. The said RN used the hospital’s electronic bar verification system to confirm the administration of medication, and when that was not an option, he would document that a scanner was unavailable and documented the administration in his notes or in the comments section. In Addition, the RN states that due to patient load, waste was often done before the end of the shift.
The RN failed to properly present and defend her case against the court. She was disciplined and suspended by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Avoid a similar thing from happening on your end. Make sure to find the right nurse attorney in case a complaint will be filed against you before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
Consult with Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An, today if you have any questions about your disciplinary process by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 day, night, or on weekends.