Examining Board Discipline of Nurse Practitioners for Medical Records Infractions

This study reviews the records of nurse practitioners (NPs) who were disciplined in Texas by the Board of Nursing between 2015 through 2017, specifically those who were disciplined for documentation-related infractions. The specific details of the infractions are discussed, such as failing to document clinical events that occurred and falsely documenting events that did not occur. Wherever the NPs provided a reason or rationale for their actions, those are also discussed, as are the specific sanctions handed down by the Texas Board of Nursing in each case. Implications for practice and principles that could assist NPs to prevent such infractions are also enumerated. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.