Those who receive notification of a False Claims Act (FCA) violation are wise to take the matter seriously. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is known to aggressively pursue these allegations and, if possible, will push for criminal charges. In a recent...
Year: 2022
Could I lose my nursing license if I administered the wrong vaccine?
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently reported that it received notification of almost 1,500 vaccine errors from June of 2020 through December 2021. In one example, a 91-year-old patient received two COVID-19 vaccinations on the same day and went...
I just got notification of an investigation by the BON. What are my rights?
Anyone who receives notification of an impending investigation by the state Board of Nursing (BON) is wise to take the matter seriously. This group is responsible for coming up with a resolution for complaints involving nurses. Depending on the allegations and the...
Physician’s contracts and noncompete agreements: Watch out for these 2 issues
Noncompete agreements are legal documents meant to help protect an employer from taking the time to train and onboard an employee, in this case a physician, only to have that physician move to join a competing group. When crafted well, these documents can survive a...
Texas optical company pays millions to settle AKS case
The government expects healthcare providers to focus on patient care over financial gain. There are many regulations in place to help better ensure patients are protected and reduce the risk of temptation for healthcare professionals, but there are still those who...
3 tips for new nurses
Those who are starting a career in nursing or transitioning to a new position can benefit from some tips for success. There are lists upon lists of tips for success but three that fit almost any nursing situation include: Prepare for the position. Get good gear before...
Two important lessons from EKRA cases in 2022
Lawmakers initially enacted the Eliminating Kickbacks Recovery Act (EKRA) four years ago as part of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Although touted by Congress as a law...
I just got “written up” by my charge nurse. Should I worry?
Just like any leadership position, there are good charge nurses and not so good. Whether you have a good charge nurse or not, getting written up can lead to stress. Is this a concern? Can a write up lead to additional repercussions? What kind of power does the charge...
Can I go to prison for healthcare fraud?
Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must follow various federal regulations. A failure to do so can result in serious penalties, including civil fines, the failure to get reimbursement from federal healthcare programs like Medicare and the loss of...
Can nurses keep working if they are accused of misconduct?
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is responsible for regulating the safe practice of nursing in Texas. Part of this role involves investigating complaints against a nurse. The BON receives thousands of these types of complaints every year. Some are dismissed without...