what to do if I did not see the order

[lolita_666]

Hey all :

I am an EMS nurse ... was endorsed a patient from the clinic with an aspirin tab in the orders My charge nurse was endorsed he told me nothing for the patient just vital signs until she's admitted , pt was okay ... stable vs co numbness for a week ... no one told me there's aspirin couldn't read the order was extremely busy .. how can I protect myself or at least defend myself / ?!!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Protecting yourself in the future is to read all active orders. They are the basis for the medical plan of care that we are required to carry out. I'm surprised at how many times I will get report, ask if an order was done, and the nurse will not even know about it. We are responsible for not only all orders we acknowledge, but also those orders put in early with a future time that occurs on our shift, e.g. NPO after MN that was put in two days earlier for a scheduled surgery on our shift. We cannot rely on all things verbally endorsed during report, and saying "The order wasn't endorsed to me" is not a defense.

I hope this is helpful, although it might not be what you want to hear.

[lolita_666]

you are right ...

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I never take it for granted I read the chart for myself. I have been screwed in the past so I just make it my business.

[lolita_666]

but the charge nurse went sayng attend other patientes nothing for this one ... tomorrow is a meeting day with supervisor and charge nurse should I mention he said that ?!

[sandyfeet]

The charge nurse was in the wrong for making the statement "nothing for this one", but you are the nurse who accepted care of this patient and it was your responsibility to check the orders. In the end you are ultimately responsible for what happens to patients in your care.

[elkpark]

... tomorrow is a meeting day with supervisor and charge nurse should I mention he said that ?!

No -- it doesn't change the situation or excuse you, and it makes you sound defensive, like you're trying to blame someone else for the situation.

[LakeEmerald]

Lolita,

In your meeting, keep your back straight and acknowledge your mistake with what sandyfeet said,

"you are the nurse who accepted care of this patient and it was your responsibility to check the orders. In the end you are ultimately responsible for what happens to patients in your care."

This way, your sups will know that you realize your error and that you learned from it. It should be OK. I wish you the best.