[June55Baby]

But for the grace of God there go many of us. God Bless You, Supportneeded. I hope you find the support you need and I hope you find peace.

[zumalong]

((((((((((Huge Hugs supportneeded )))))) I am so sorry this happened to you. Med errors are so frightening and can be devastating to the nurse who actually gives the drug. Over my 20 years I have had several med errors--none lethal--but still I can never forget that first feeling of eating my heart when I realized I had given the wrong med to my patient. I would hate to see you give up nursing because of this mistake.

Mistakes DO happen and usually it is result of a breakdown in the system--it just happens that we as nurses are at the end of the line and it falls on our consciences and shoulders. Instead of berating yourself ask questions about why it happened. Were you short staffed? Was the med red flagged as a cardiac drug? What other safe guards does your facility have? Many are investing in automated med systems to avoid some of these med errors.

First make sure you have legal council. Next contact your Dr. and find some counsel. Your emotional health is most important right now. Yes there are over 7,000 lethal errors a year. You aren't alone--but in your grief no one else can feel the same way. I will be praying for you and hoping that ultimately you continue with nursing. The profession needs compassionate people like you.

[banditrn]

Originally Posted by augigi

I was going to send a PM, but then decided to just write it here for all to see. People make mistakes, every day. It's just that when nurses do, the potential for fatality is there. I am very sorry for you Julie, as I know how it feels.

In my graduate year as an RN, I was placed in the ICU for a rotation. After one month there, I administered potassium chloride into a burette and set the drip rate for one hour infusion. Unfortunately, when I returned to check it in 10 minutes, the entire infusion had run through, due to a malfunctioning IV roller clamp set. The patient arrested. He was resuscitated, but had suffered anoxic brain injury and was removed from support at his family's request.

The family and hospital adminstration were informed immediately, and many interview followed. Funnily enough, the doctors were much more supportive than the nurses, who suddenly seemed to forget checking the drug, or going over the administration with me. They just wiped their hands of it in many cases.

I know the feelings you are going through. I had to go through a Coroners Court investigation, make police statements, testify etc. It was very traumatic, with almost no support from either my employer or my nursing association. I had to fight even to get adequate legal representation.

As a graduate nurse, I considered quitting, or leaving ICU for a less acute area. However, what I decided has shaped my current career. I decided that I didn't do anything wrong, and was not going to be cowardly and leave. I decided instead to be the best nurse I could be, in that setting.

I went ahead and studied critical care at a tertiary hospital, became a CNS and did very well. I now work for a medical device company.

If you are a good person, you will feel guilty. However, this does not make you a bad person, or even a bad nurse. It just makes you a human that has made mistakes. I would join the others in suggesting counselling, as I know it helped me immensely to talk about what had happened. Feel free to PM me anytime you feel bad, or want to talk. It can happen to anyone - I'm sorry you are the one right now.

This really angers me that you got no support from your fellow nurses - I hate people like that.

[sangreal]

My heart goes out to you.....nurses are so rushed and stressed that it is difficult to be mistake free......even really good caring nurses.....there does need to be more support......nurses don't support each other enough......especially the new nurses who need to be mentored.

[LadyStar42]

God love and care for you. I am so very sorry this happened to you!!! or any other nurse for that matter. Please see someone to help with your feelings and above all, don't give up your career! As so many others have already stated, our profession needs compassionate and caring nurses like you.

[My2Giants]

My heart goes out to you Julie! I am so very sorry that this has happened. I am sure all the advice in the world is not going to help the pain you are feeling now. Just know that you are in our thoughts and may we as a community of nurses help in some small way. We are here to listen and offer support.

[weetziebat]

Hi Julie,
Like the others, my heart goes out to you knowing how human we all are and how easily it could have been any one of us.
When I mentioned your post to my daughter, saying how awful there don't seem to be any support groups, she checked it out, and came up with the following:

http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=13935

http://www.mitss.org/

From the MITSS website: "If you are a nurse who is having difficulty dealing with the emotional aftermath brought on by an adverse medical event, we urge you to give us a call at (508) 337-2900 or toll free at 888-36MITSS. All contact will be kept strictly confidential. Call us today and begin your journey of healing."

I hope they are what you are looking for, and are able to help you. I can't even imagine how terrible you must feel, and not sure I'd want to return to nursing. But whatever happens, remember - it was a mistake. You did not do it on purpose, and what is done is over. It is time for you to slowly try to pick up the pieces and move on with your life. Will keep you in my prayers.

[oramar]

Originally Posted by VickyRN

Although the nurse is ultimately responsible for medication administration errors, the entire facility system definitely comes into play in any sentinel event. In the ICU where I used to work, the pharmacy would routinely send vercuronium and other potent neuromuscular paralyzing agents unflagged through the tube system. These would be in inconspicuous 100 ml secondary IV bags, right along with the penicillin, ceftrioxone, zofran, magnesium, and any of a multitude of other IV medications. How very easy it would have been to mistake one bag for the other if the nurse was not diligently checking I discussed with the pharmacist how very dangerous this practice was, but I don't know if any action was taken. At the very least, these agents need to be flagged, sent separately from all other medications, and have two nurses sign-off before administering.

Yes, yes this is what I was going to say. Many studies that have looked at med errors and noted that mini bags and IV meds are handled in a most dangerous way throughout the whole system. The drugs most likely to kill are in bads that look just like antibiotics and NSS. FDA has to go after this before others are injured and killed.

[jahra]

Originally Posted by weetziebat

Hi Julie,

From the MITSS website: "If you are a nurse who is having difficulty dealing with the emotional aftermath brought on by an adverse medical event, we urge you to give us a call at (508) 337-2900 or toll free at 888-36MITSS. All contact will be kept strictly confidential. Call us today and begin your journey of healing."

Wonderful group! Try this link

http://www.mitss.org/Clinicians_files/Clinicians.htm

(I think the above link in the post above is outdated or maybe its my
computer)

Hugs to you Julie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( Thanks for the source Weetziebat)

[weetziebat]

Originally Posted by jahra

Wonderful group! Try this link

http://www.mitss.org/Clinicians_files/Clinicians.htm

(I think the above link in the post above is outdated or maybe its my
computer)

Hugs to you Julie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( Thanks for the source Weetziebat)

Yeah, weird. When I opened up the e-mail my daughter sent me, it went through beautifully. Now just get the invalid site (or whatever it says) Was trying to fix it when you posted, jahra - thanks