The safety and well-being of residents in healthcare facilities rely on the vigilance and adherence to medical orders and procedures by healthcare professionals, especially when it comes to ensuring the security of those with specialized care needs. Nurses play a pivotal role in following physician’s orders meticulously and maintaining accurate documentation to guarantee that residents receive the appropriate level of care. However, there are regrettable circumstances when deviations from these fundamental responsibilities occur, potentially compromising the safety and security of residents and raising concerns about a nurse’s professional conduct and ethical standards. When RNs face allegations or legal concerns related to the security and care of residents, as well as improper documentation, a nurse attorney can provide invaluable support to protect the RN’s rights and license.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a healthcare facility in Sugar Land, Texas, and had been in that position for ten (10) months.
On or about December 12, 2021, while employed as an RN at a healthcare facility in Sugar Land, Texas, RN was accused of the following:
- RN failed to check the function and placement of wander guards for two (2) residents as ordered by a physician. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the residents in that failure to monitor their safety as ordered by a physician could have resulted in undue harm to them and others.
- RN falsified the medication administration record (MAR) for two (2) residents to show she checked the function and placement of the wander guard when she didn’t. Furthermore, RN admitted she didn’t even know one of the residents had a wander guard and that she just checked it off automatically. RN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and unnecessarily exposed her patients to a risk of harm. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients in that subsequent care givers would rely on her documentation.
In response, RN states she had 4 residents with wander guards in her hall. RN states when she was asked about a patient A’s wander guard, she drew a blank and couldn’t remember. RN states she checked the orders and she had it ordered. RN states when she was asked about patient B’s wander guard, she stated “What is the matter with it?” RN states she knew she had it because she was the one who initiated placement weeks ago. RN states she didn’t think anything was wrong with it. RN states even though she knew their whereabouts and looked after her resident’s safety. RN states none were physically in danger during her shift. RN states after reflection, she understands her mistake, she checked the functions by waving the box before she completed her shift, but she clicked on the MAR at the beginning. RN states she should have clicked the completion of the task at the actual time. RN states she regrets her poor judgement. RN states she had already physically checked two of the four wander guards of her residents; she checked off the MAR of the other two early because she was in the process of doing so. RN states she takes full responsibility for her actions and deeply apologizes for clicking the MAR too early.
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) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B), (4),(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 17 years and represented over 500 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.