First Medication Error.....feeling horrible!!

swimincatz · Feb 13, 2009

I'm not a nurse yet and I haven't yet started nursing school, but from other posts I've read on here, you're doing really well. You've almost been a nurse for a year and that's all you've mixed up. I'm sure if it had been a huge deal your coworkers would have let you know, but it sounds like they were very suppotive! When I graduate I'd like to come work at your hopsital it sounds like a pretty supportive environment! Don't stress over it, that day is done and the pt is fine... now on to the next shift! :icon_hug:

Yeswecan · Feb 13, 2009

It happens! The important thing is that you handled it exactly as you should have. It's likely that you will never make that mistake again and if a lesson was learned and no one got hurt, you have to move on. I am sorry you have such a heavy load - a major contributing factor and a real safety issue. Good luck - get back on the horse and take care of yourself.

cloister · Feb 13, 2009

It happens. Hey, you figured it out quickly, reported it, and notified the physician. The patient will be fine. Go easy on yourself.

I did a very similar thing when I was floated to a tele floor from ICU a couple of years ago. I got so caught up in going to the bedside with the stupid paper MAR that I gave a dose of glucotrol that wasn't due. Same deal - caught it quickly, called the doc, hung D5 and monitored the pt. Reported it to the med error hotline, feeling like a big loser the whole time. I mean, I'd been a nurse for 18, 19 years and you'd think I could avoid an obvious error like that. It was humbling, to say the least.

The patient, incidentally, was fine.

The takehome from this? Any nurse, competent or incompetent, can make a med error. The competent ones, however, do just what you did - they recognize it, report it, and make sure the patient is OK. They also learn from it, all of which you've done.

Extend a little grace to yourself. You acted in the best interest of your patient, not yourself, and in so doing, showed professionalism as a nurse. :up:

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Sounds like you did great and have done great! Go easy on yourself!

whipping girl in 07, RN · Feb 13, 2009

How is that a med error? The BG was within normal range, preprandial, and you gave basal insulin, Lantus. The whole point of basal insulin is to cover the blood sugars so they don't get high. If sliding scale was due at the same time, you probably wouldn't have given it as your order would probably be to treat if greater than 120 or 140 or so. As long as the patient is either eating or has a dextrose source (IV fluids, TPN or tube feeding) they should be fine, in fact, great, because they have good glycemic control.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Rach - Hello! Been there, done that. * patients is a full load, and then having to cover the LPN with the duties she isn't allowed to do is even harder. I have been a nurse for 18 years and have made mistakes in my career. You can tell just by your words that this error has really attected you. Don't be so hard on yourself. We make mistakes, we are human. You are compassionate about your patients, and you are an advocate for them.

Just keep in mind that we will all make mistakes, and try to learn from the ones you make. That's what I try to remember.

Anne, RNC

sonja77 · Feb 13, 2009

how is that a med error? the bg was within normal range, preprandial, and you gave basal insulin, lantus. the whole point of basal insulin is to cover the blood sugars so they don't get high.

i was thinking the same thing! i would have given the lantus as well, especially if that's the pt's usual home dose. their body probably needs that amount of lanutus to keep their blood sugar under control.

Michifura · Feb 13, 2009

I might be totally off... but I do not see where you went wrong, med error???? You mentioned you gave Lantus, right? The way I learned Lantus is NEVER hold it, it is a basal insulin which helps control sugar over the course of the day, being long acting. With a post op patient, you want to have a tight control of their sugars preferably

I am glad to hear the staff was supportive. If you have time look Lantus up, call the pharmacist, speak to a diabetes educator, I bet once you get more info on it, you won't be so hard on yourself and you will be able to go back to work with your head up and with info to share with your coworkers.

Best of luck!

kellykelly · Feb 13, 2009

Glad to see others question how this is an error. Lantus is long-acting and it shouldn't normally be held for a bs of 112 unless the order specifically says not to. Unless you were giving it at the wrong time? Most patients take it at HS but not all of them do.

Sounds like you handled it correctly. Don't worry too much, I'm sure you have learned something from it!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Sorry...that wasn't an error unless there were parameters to not give the lantus. A few posters already stated this too.

systoly · Feb 13, 2009

I recently read a thread about what makes a good nurse. Not once did anybody mention "never make a med error". What did come up over and over was "compassion". So please have compassion for yourself. If, indeed, it was a med error. I do have a question. Was the LPN struggling too, or did the LPN just take a free ride?