Timely and accurate communication with healthcare providers is a vital aspect of nursing practice, especially when patients experience significant changes in their health status that require immediate attention and intervention. Nurses are entrusted with the essential duty of monitoring and assessing patients, promptly reporting any concerning developments, and ensuring appropriate medical care is provided. However, there are unfortunate circumstances when deviations from these critical standards occur, potentially compromising patient safety and raising concerns about the nurse’s competence and adherence to established protocols. When nurses face allegations or legal concerns related to communication lapses and delayed reporting of significant health changes, a nurse attorney can provide invaluable support and guidance. A nurse attorney assists in formulating a strong defense strategy to mitigate potential professional and legal consequences.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a senior living community in New Braunfels, Texas, and had been in that position for five (5) years and seven (7) months.
On or about October 19, 2021, through October 20, 2021, while employed as an RN at a senior living community in New Braunfels, Texas, RN failed to timely notify the provider when the blood pressure of the patient decreased from 145/68 at 2206 to blood pressure of 91/57 at 0220. Instead, the provider was not notified until 0420 when the patient’s blood pressure further decreased to 77/45 and oxygen saturation was 89%. Subsequently, the patient was lethargic, non-verbal, and weak when transferred to the hospital at 0454. RN’s conduct deprived the provider of vital information which would be required to institute timely medical interventions to stabilize the patient.
In response, RN states she assumed duty about 2300 and was informed that the patient had been hit on the head, and the off going nurse had performed vital signs and neuro checks. RN states she assisted the patient, who was alert and verbal, to the bathroom at 2315. RN states after assisting the patient back to bed, she assessed vital signs and performed a neuro check. RN states there was no change in the patient’s level of consciousness, no headache, no dizziness, no nausea, nor a neuro change that required notification of the provider at that time. RN states she continued to monitor as required and found both hands had equally firm grips indicating no neurological changes. RN states assessments continued until she noticed a decline in the patient’s blood pressure. RN states she called the nurse practitioner (NP) about the changes in vital signs and the NP ordered the patient to be sent to the hospital. RN states that prior to the patient’s transfer, the lead caregivers on duty watched the patient while she attended to other residents because she was the only nurse.
The above action constitutes 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)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty of her deeds. Her RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. She did not hire a skilled Texas nurse attorney to fully defend her case which led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney who represented more than 500 nurse cases for RNs and LVNs for the past 17 years.