Registered Nurse Arrested for Neglecting Elderly Patient

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

An investigation led by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) ended with an arrest of a north Florida registered nurse (RN), in Suwannee County. The arrest was based on allegations of failing to assess and monitor a 94-year-old patient’s condition. The patient fell and broke her hip and shoulder, and later died.
Click here to see the full press release from the Attorney General’s (AG) Office.

RN Faces Jail Time and Fine for Neglect and Falsifying Hospital Records.
According to the investigation, the RN allegedly failed to care for and monitor the condition of a 94-year-old woman. The RN is accused of falsifying hospital medical records to conceal her failure to provide proper nursing care to the victim.

The RN turned herself in to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. The nurse faces up to five years and two months in prison and a $5,500 fine, according to the AG’s Office.
The AG’s press release states that this case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Tips for Responding to a MFCU Investigation.
The MFCU is in charge of investigating and prosecuting health care providers suspected of defrauding the state's Medicaid program. When the unit opens a case against a provider, the first step is usually the issuance of an investigative subpoena, requesting specific patient records.
I previously wrote a blog with tips on how to properly respond to such a subpoena and how to be prepared to defend oneself. Click here to read that blog.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Nurses and Registered Nurses (RNs).
The Health Law Firm's attorneys routinely represent nurses and registered nurses (RNs) in MFCU investigations, in appearances before the Board of Nursing in licensing matters and in many other legal matters. We represent nurses across the U.S., and throughout Florida.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:
Gainesville.com. “Nurse Arrested, Charged with Neglecting Elderly Patient Who Died.” The Gainesville Sun. (June 13, 2012). From: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120613/articles/120619840
Meale, Jenn. “Attorney General Bondi Announces Arrest of Registered Nurse for Neglecting an Elderly, Disabled Adult.” Florida Office of the Attorney General. (June 13, 2012). From: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/358A1FC528F9A06D85257A1C00729C63

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law.  He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice.  Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area.  www.TheHealthLawFirm.com  The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone:  (407) 331-6620.

 

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Nurses, Do You Know About the Disciplinary Action Database?

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D.
Nurses, did you know the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) maintains a database of all state disciplinary actions?  This database, called Licensure QuickConfirm, lists all disciplinary actions from the Florida Board of Nursing and forty-six (46) other state boards. It is frequently used by hospitals and medical groups to screen potential employees.
To search the Licensure QuickConfirm list, click here.

Information Listed Comes From Boards of Nursing.

According to the website, all information listed on the database comes directly from the boards of nursing. A report will contain:

- the nurse’s name,
- licensed jurisdiction,
- license type
- license number,
- compact status (single state or multistate),
- license original issue date,
- license expiration date,
- discipline against license, and
- discipline against privilege to practice.

Check Database for Accuracy.
If you have recently received discipline from the Florida Board of Nursing, or any other state board of nursing, it would be prudent to immediately check this website to verify that any information listed under your profile is accurate.  The website clearly states that it is the nurse's responsibility to contact the board of nursing to update his or her information.

Our law firm recently encountered errors on this database that our client contended caused him lost employment opportunities.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Nurses.
The Health Law Firm's attorneys routinely represent nurses in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, in appearances before the Board of Nursing in licensing matters and in many other legal matters. We represent nurses across the U.S., and throughout Florida.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

About the Author: Christopher E. Brown, J.D., is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

 

 

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.