Pyxis machine and nurses diverting meds.....

[docpsychrn]

i have a question regarding the legality of being blamed for meds missing from a pyxis machine. there are several nurses in a 24 hour period that pull meds from the units' pyxis machine yet the pharmacy is accusing me or questioning me where several pills have gone missing and why. they gave me 2 examples of meds that i "canceled withdrawal" and then on a sticky asked where the meds were. first of all, if the patient doesn't want the med once i've opened the pyxis, i just push "cancel withdrawal" and shut the drawer. i don't bend down and count the medication that is suppose to be in that particular box before i cancel the med. second of all, can i be fired for something i didn't do despite them saying i need to answer to why there are those pills missing? again, there are numerous nurses that use this same pyxis to pull their meds or to "borrow" meds when their pxyis is low. i hurt in my gut as to why i am even being asked about this just because i had 2 "cancel withdrawals" on this same med! i have never diverted anything and i am extremely careful and cautious to always have a witness to wasting meds if they are controlled substances or even non-narcotic meds just for my peace of mind. what can they do to try and make me the fall guy? how do i protect myself when i did nothing. if i get all upset, they will think i am guilty, if i act low key and like nothing is wrong, they will say i don't care and it's me. i am in a no win situation unless someone can shed some light on what i should do. i received the letter several days ago, no one has called me at home and my boss hasn't called me. pharmacy is the only one that left me the message...please any advice is welcomed here. ive been a nurse for almost 30 years and have never been disciplined for anything...i don't want to lose my career over something like this! thanks fellow nurses!!

[NurseSDRN]

Something similar happen to me. I was accused of diverting narcotic. Did a random drug screen, first ones tempature didnt register. Then she tells me i have to do another one. I refused do to privacy issues with the nurse issuing the test. Told her to test that sample. Was fired the next day. Now im fighting the board. Can't afford a lawyer so i dont know whats going to happen. Scare as hell. I have 4 young kids to feed.

[Twoyearnurse]

I know it sounds unhelpful but I wish you would have stayed and taken the second test. Consenting to a urinalysis in the first place means you gave consent to retest without leaving the testing facility if too little sample was provided, wrong temp etc. Your best bet would be to go to a testing site and pay for a hair sample, provide the results to the board. In the long run it would save you money because a board order would include many years of paying for samples. Sometimes you've got to pay to clear your name.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Something similar happen to me. I was accused of diverting narcotic. Did a random drug screen, first ones tempature didnt register. Then she tells me i have to do another one. I refused do to privacy issues with the nurse issuing the test. Told her to test that sample. Was fired the next day. Now im fighting the board. Can't afford a lawyer so i dont know whats going to happen. Scare as hell. I have 4 young kids to feed.

If there were privacy issues, why did you consent to the first test?

[miasmom]

Also consider a hair test. A friend oncenworkednat a clinic and that would be done. Insoles a longer history.