MAR error - Page 2

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  1. Sep 24, '12 by
    OP I would get a lawyer ASAP! I had an incident at work and the board wanted me to plea to negligence and pay a fine and take some classes. I was NOT negligent and refused to admit to that. I got a lawyer. He advised me that sometimes the board pushes when they have little ground to stand on and if you push back they back off. My lawyer contacted them and even offered them that I would plea to improper documentation and pay the fine and take the classes if that's what they wanted but I would not plea to negligence. They dropped everything after hearing from my lawyer. So I would at least talk to a lawyer and see what they say.
    JMBnurse likes this.
  2. Sep 24, '12 by
    I'd look into a lawyer for sure..it was a bit harsh for them to contact the BON! Definitely apply for Unemployment. Just because you were fired doesn't mean you don't qualify!
    citylights89 and Jory like this.
  3. Sep 24, '12 by
    Quote from paulsab
    I've been a nurse for ten years and I recently was terminated by my employer for a documentation/med error. I signed out all my meds for the entire shift. I was multi-tasking and I wasn't paying attention. I discovered the mistake but not until afterwards. I had to take my client to a md appt and if I corrected the mistakes we would have missed the appointement. So, I did mention to the CNA that I did make the mistake and I told her I would correct upon our return. It's a group home and I was the only nurse. I didn't think it was that big of a deal s long as I fixed the mistake. Off we left to the md appt. Once we returned to the facility, I discovered that my supervisor stopped by and notified management. I was terminated after the investigation. The CNA did write a note in my behalf stating that I did say I would correct the mistakes when I returned. The employer of the company reported me to the state board of nursing. I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do. This is my first complaint and the first time I've ever been terminated. I don't know if I should take a lie detector test and submit findings to the board? Should I obtain a lawyer? I'm sick about this and I'm worried. Any advise is much appreciated. I do not have any other complaints with the board and I live in Colorado.

    BBM- If you admitted the error, why the lie detector test? Are they saying that you are not being truthful about the incident? If it were me, I would avoid a polygraph unless they were investigating me for a criminal offense. Either way, I would definitely retain a lawyer and try to find one that specializes in medical issues, particularly, one with experience in dealing with the BON in your state. A good attorney with experience should be able to advise you on exactly how you should handle this. Good luck.
  4. Sep 24, '12 by
    Just because they say they will contact the board doesn't mean that they will. It's frequently used as an intimidating process. Go apply for unemployment.

    But everyone should learn from this. Do not ever sign out meds you have not given. Ever. Period.

    Contact a lawyer, and sit tight.

    Best wishes.
    nursel56, xoemmylouox, and artsmom like this.
  5. Sep 24, '12 by
    What would you possibly hope to accomplish with a polygraph exam? Yes, you documented falsely about adminstering medications that you in fact had not. Yes, you planned to change your charting to reflect what you had actually done. Are these things in dispute with your employer?

    Quote from paulsab
    I've been a nurse for ten years and I recently was terminated by my employer for a documentation/med error. I signed out all my meds for the entire shift. I was multi-tasking and I wasn't paying attention. I discovered the mistake but not until afterwards. I had to take my client to a md appt and if I corrected the mistakes we would have missed the appointement. So, I did mention to the CNA that I did make the mistake and I told her I would correct upon our return. It's a group home and I was the only nurse. I didn't think it was that big of a deal s long as I fixed the mistake. Off we left to the md appt. Once we returned to the facility, I discovered that my supervisor stopped by and notified management. I was terminated after the investigation. The CNA did write a note in my behalf stating that I did say I would correct the mistakes when I returned. The employer of the company reported me to the state board of nursing. I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do. This is my first complaint and the first time I've ever been terminated. I don't know if I should take a lie detector test and submit findings to the board? Should I obtain a lawyer? I'm sick about this and I'm worried. Any advise is much appreciated. I do not have any other complaints with the board and I live in Colorado.
  6. Sep 24, '12 by
    Was this really a MAR error? I'm no lawyer (thank fortune!), but it sounds like its more along the lines of falsifying records ie: charting that something was done that wasn't.

    Quote from veggie530
    They're going after your license on a MAR error?

    I don't know the severity of the circumstances, but it seems pretty extreme if you accidentally initialed a colace administration for the next shift or something similar.
  7. Sep 25, '12 by
    I am not sure what you mean by signing out all your meds for the shift. Please explain this. I have never worked in a nursing home and don't know the procedure. Would this have been against procedure for the facility? I understand that you would have missed the appointment but was multi tasking the best thing to do? I don't want you to think that I am condeming what you did. I think that you should have been given the opportunity to explain the situation to your supervisor. I can only say that all protocols are put in place to prevent medication errors and so that nurses can not abuse medications. I hope that everything works out for you.
  8. Sep 25, '12 by
    I'm not sure I understand....did you "just" initial that you signed out all of your meds, or did you actually sign out all of your meds. And, I'm not sure how that can be a mistake.......
  9. Sep 25, '12 by
    I'm a bit confused, as are many of the other commenters here. This does not appear to be a MAR error. If you had given the wrong med, I could see your point. But I tend to agree with CollenRN2B, this was false documentation. You signed out a med, documenting that you actually gave it when you had not. You clearly state that you planned to go back and change that documentation. I'm not placing blame or guilt, but this seems to be a case of not following basic nursing practice or your facility/company's documentation guidelines. Also, you knew you had done this, and went ahead with the other activities of your day. You probably should have at least contacted your immediate supervisor (not the CNA) with your issues and asked for direction. Unfortunately, based on what you have said, you seem to be the party at fault here; not the company.
    kakamegamama likes this.
  10. Sep 25, '12 by
    Was it a narcotic? and in your pocket when you left? That's my only guess as to what would have gotten you fired.