There is a situation that came up for me, I'm freaking out, have asked a couple people's opinion...don't know what to do, I'm really hoping that someone has a suggestion.
I graduated in May, got hired onto a hospital a month ago, have been working with my preceptor for almost a month now. Here is the situation- We had a patient with an excerbation of COPD..DNR, seemed to be in some respiratory distress etc. The patient was ordered ativan 0.5mg every 2 hours to help with anxiety. So my preceptor and I go into the med room to draw up the ativan. When I was getting it, the vial that it came was a 2mg vial. So my preceptor tells me to draw up the ativan, and then put the vial in my pocket...this patient is going to need more later, her situation is pretty urgent, and that way we don't waste the 1.5mg. My preceptor says if there is any left at the end of shift we will waste it together. Okay, so right here, I didn't feel real comfortable putting the vial in my pocket, but I ignored my gut, we were in a hurry, my preceptor is getting pissed, etc. (I know, I know always listen to the gut) So anyway the day goes on and the patient ends up getting discharged to Hospice. Fast forward. I leave shift go home, change out of scrubs. Okay so today I go to do laundry, and I feel something in my pants pocket (I put the ativan there, thinking that I would feel it and remember it) it's the damn ativan! I think oh ****...we forgot to waste on Sunday...I have no way of getting a hold of preceptor...I work tomorrow.
I'm freaking out...I took this vial home with me, and I just want this thing out of my possesion. My mind starts wondering, freaking out...so I call a friend who happens to be a nurse at a different hospital. She tells me well this isn't good. You took a controlled substance off the unit, what if the preceptor doesn't feel comfortable wasting with you when you go back to work. She suggests I tell a little white lie and tell my preceptor I left in my tool belt, fanny pack thing, in my locker. My friend said that way it didn't leave the unit. Well I really don't want to lie...at the same time this was an honest mistake of forgetting....I just don't know what to do? Do I go to my unit now, talk to the charge nurse (who doesn't know the situation obviously with my preceptor being with me while the situation happened) or do I wait until tomorrow and talk to my preceptor? I am so anxious about this...and I want to do the right thing...and suggestions?? Thanks so much
I have an idea. Give yourself the ativan and relax. You didn't kill or hurt anybody that we know of. Just go to your preceptor or charge nurse upon return to work and waste the med. Use this experience as a learning tool. Always waste your meds immediately. Just think. The one day that you forget and some cop pulls you over for swerving or tailight out. You may end up in jail or worse, without a career. Don't care to waste time. This is your career!!
I am very aware that there are certain meds that need to be wasted while someone witnesses that waste. The problem that occured was not lack of knowledge with that, but lack of judgement on my part (putting the ativan in my pocket and forgetting about it) I have definitely learned from the situation. Today it was taken care of, a med error was written for it. I know that this is something I will not be forgetting, and something I will NOT do again! That is for sure!
Glad you learned that's what matters most at this point. Glad it worked out o.k., as I thought it would.
Mr. Grumpy
11 Posts
I have an idea. Give yourself the ativan and relax. You didn't kill or hurt anybody that we know of. Just go to your preceptor or charge nurse upon return to work and waste the med. Use this experience as a learning tool. Always waste your meds immediately. Just think. The one day that you forget and some cop pulls you over for swerving or tailight out. You may end up in jail or worse, without a career. Don't care to waste time. This is your career!!