Accidently took home a patients' insulin!

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So I'm a nursing student and today me and my preceptor gave insulin to two of her patients near change of shift. By the time we were done, the next nurses were already ready to receive report so my preceptor told me that we would put it back in the pyxis later. I don't have access to some meds in pyxis, so I need her to put it back. I put the insulins in my scrub pocket because we aren't supposed to leave medications on the COW. But later we apparently got busy and by the time I knew it, she sent me home telling me I did a good job that day. So you can imagine the disappointment in myself when I go home to empty my pockets and see those two meds /:

I texted her and she said to just bring it back tomorrow since we have a shift. I just feel so bad, like I already failed preceptorship. Has anyone done something similar to this?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

No biggie. The night nurse can pull insulin from the pixus or have pharmacy send a new one if she needs it tonight.

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Specializes in OR/PACU/med surg/LTC.

It happens. Just wait till you have gone home with the narcotic keys. I usually end up with eye drops in my pocket. I've learned to do a full pocket pat down before leaving. I've also gone home with the nursing cell phone.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I like to imagine that one is not a REAL NURSE until you've brought home the narc keys at least once! (sarcastic here)

Only thing worse is if you misplace those keys! Now that one I've never taken lightly!!!

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Not a big deal. No harm done to the patient. And if the patient urgently needed it, you would be willing to make your way back, right?

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Specializes in Hospice.
Not a big deal. No harm done to the patient. And if the patient urgently needed it, you would be willing to make your way back, right?

NO, she's already afraid this is going to go on her Permanent Record, where it will follow her and be mentioned at every job interview in perpetuity. Don't traumatize her any more.

Seriously, OP, this is not a hanging offense. The lesson to be learned from this is to do a full body pat down before you leave. Because if you take the Narc keys home (and we all have, believe me) you WILL have to turn around and bring them back immediately.

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I once made it home after working 12 hours, was sitting around talking to my roommates, and about four hours later I was getting ready for bed. It is 11:30 at night and something in me made me check my scrubs before putting them in the laundry. What do I find but the PCA key for our floor. I turned around and drove back to the hospital. Thankfully the one patient who was on a PCA hadn't needed it yet. Never did that again. Lol

So it happens.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

This is why I empty my pockets every shift before I leave. In the past I have gone home with insulin, other medications (half vial metoprolol, refused protonix) work phone, and (once!) narcotic box keys. It happens. Be glad it wasn't a narcotic!

Seriously, it's a good idea to have a small bag that you empty your pockets into before leaving. Make it a part of your work routine.

Your patient would still be able to get their insulin, so don't worry about that.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Haha, one time I was at a friends' house who worked at a smalllll country hospital with no Pyxis or EMR and I had heartburn. She handed me a protonix that went home in her pocket by accident.

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No biggie. The night nurse can pull insulin from the pixus or have pharmacy send a new one if she needs it tonight.

Thank goodness. I was panicking so bad that she was mad at me. :nailbiting:

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Not a big deal. No harm done to the patient. And if the patient urgently needed it, you would be willing to make your way back, right?

Of course. I doubt the patient would need insulin at night already since we already gave him his coverage too.

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NO, she's already afraid this is going to go on her Permanent Record, where it will follow her and be mentioned at every job interview in perpetuity. Don't traumatize her any more.

Seriously, OP, this is not a hanging offense. The lesson to be learned from this is to do a full body pat down before you leave. Because if you take the Narc keys home (and we all have, believe me) you WILL have to turn around and bring them back immediately.

Lol I'm not that paranoid about it going on my permanent record. Just my evaluation.... when my school faculty comes for midterm evals. Lol. My preceptor might be like "she's irresponsible".

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