School Nurse Gives Wrong Medication

[MHDNURSE]

This was a story on our local news last night. Would love to know what really happened.

Parents: Child Gets Wrong Medicine at School Nurse's Office in Blackstone | NECN

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I don't really understated the over the top reaction (IMHO). The nurse addressed it, owned it, didn't just let it slide, which could be easy to do. The potential is huge, but thankfully the kiddo will be ok.

Because it is scary. Scary for the nurse, scary for the public.

[Emergent, RN]

I don't really understated the over the top reaction (IMHO). The nurse addressed it, owned it, didn't just let it slide, which could be easy to do. The potential is huge, but thankfully the kiddo will be ok.

Slow news day? The media will exploit anything they can get their hands on.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i agree - also it's because it has to do with it being a school. There are drug errors in hospitals and LTC facilities everyday and no one alerts the media about it.

[DEgalRN]

Agreed, there has to be more to this story.

New nurse to the school? Sub nurse? Ritalin girl was in there at the same time and they really do look very similar? I don't feel like publicly shaming the nurse does any good, and am annoyed they went to the news. That doesn't ensure that schools will implement policies to avoid medication errors, that's just a feel good action on the part of the parents.

[Farawyn]

I don't really understated the over the top reaction (IMHO). The nurse addressed it, owned it, didn't just let it slide, which could be easy to do. The potential is huge, but thankfully the kiddo will be ok.

You know why. Because it is someone's CHILD and how DARE anyone make a MISTAKE?!

*flounce*

I know I've already discussed this with THE NURSE, but I'm going to the MEDIA as well so there is a LESSON LEARNED!

Please. Pass the garbage can for me to puke into.

[Supernrse01, BSN]

This just doesn't add up. So many questions about this...

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Am I the only one thinking "Motrin for a JUST NOW bumped elbow, give it some ice and come back later if it's still hurting!"

Anywho, I agree with others, saying you don't want any disciplinary action taken against the nurse, and then going to the media is complete BS. Now instead of only getting some sort of disciplinary action she will probably get death threats and parents calling the school demanding her job.

Yes, it is scary that their child got the wrong medication. Yes, the nurse should've asked for the name. But c'mon, going to the news? Like a previous poster stated, much worse med errors happen elsewhere all the time with no media.

I'll admit, I had a kiddo start a new daily med and for three days she would come in and I'd say "What's up?" wondering what ailment had befallen her. She'd reply with "Umm, my medicine." Took me a bit to get her face imprinted in my brain.

We all know how things work in the school, we know our daily kids. So I feel there might be more to the story as well. Very unfortunate for all parties involved. But the nurse admitted her mistake, didn't try to cover it up, and now she will likely lose her job from all of the complaints. Makes you wonder how many mistakes happen, and people cover them up to prevent this exact situation.

[shark_nurse14, BSN, RN]

Family says school nurse gave child Ritalin instead of Motrin | FOX25

"(the mom) had to tell the nurse to call poison control."

...are you kidding me

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Am I the only one thinking "Motrin for a JUST NOW bumped elbow, give it some ice and come back later if it's still hurting!"

That question tops my list. But i am certain there is a lot more to this story. Perhaps it was a healing fracture reinjured at lunch and the student went in and simply requested her medication- otherwise I can't imagine why a 7 year old would even think to ask for motrin for a "hurt elbow". But that's just pure conjecture.

ETA - just watched the video that Avery posted and now that blows my theory to bits and I am with Avery - Are you kidding me!!

[kidzcare]

I still have questions after watching the video.

1- Why was this kid asking for a medication immediately after a minor bump?

2- Was the nurse working in her normal capacity? (ie: was she a sub, internal sub, or otherwise unfamiliar with the students?)

3- If you don't want the nurse to have consequence (ie: public embarrassment) then why go to the news? As another poster mentioned, med errors happen EVERY SINGLE DAY in hospitals and SNFs. ETA- I am not meaning that we should dismiss any med error as unimportant just because they happen frequently. But no need to blow out of proportion.

4- Why did this cognizant student take the med after she was clearly being mistaken for someone else?

5- Is no one concerned about "Ava's" privacy?? It looks like a small school. It was said more than once on the video that the medication was meant for someone named Ava. I don't think it would be too hard for many people to figure out who that student is.

[EDRockstar]

Unfortunately, in the school systems, there are very few checks & balances on school nursing and many nurses are required to float between two or more schools. The fact that a daily medication vs a PRN medication was administered is also concerning. In addition, I understand the parents reporting the incident to the school and board of nursing for corrective action, but I am in agreement that if they were not wanting punitive action taken against the school nurse, they would not have contacted the media.

[Amethya]

Why was she asking for Motrin? Was it her medication? I get some kids asking for medicine but I know who has medications here or not, so I tell them I can't unless it's under a doctor's orders.