chemo error!!!

In a busy office , it is eassy for mistakes to happen. I am the only nurse in my office, and do not have another nurse to do 2nd checks with. I ask the pt their name (even though i know them) and i show them their name on the bag and ask them if that is their name, and i tell them which medication i am giving. A coworker of mine at another office had a similar incident where she drew up the pts aranesp, got called to the phone, and gave the injection to another nurse to give. she told her what it was and for which pt, and that nurse gave it to the pt push via port. She stated, "she thought it was his velcade."

Check it at the pts bedside and use the six rights The nurse skipped those We also co-sign the MAR and then witness the hang or push, Yes it takes time but it is so worth it. Many pts have died because of wrong route and wrong dose chemo mistakes

People make mistakes and thats why the checks are in place. But they are only as good as the poeple who use them.

What happened with the aranesp thing, was the pt ok?

My biggest fear is that the topotecan will drop the pts already low platelet count and his next chemo will be deferred. He is a young testicular with brain and lung mets, on his second round of chemo. He responded the first round, but relapsed quickly. It is sooooo important he gets the chemo on time. He already had to be decreased to 50% dose because of the platelets.

Thanks again

Hi

I work in an In-Pt. Hem/Onc Unit.

We have to check our chemo with another Nurse. Before we do anything

we have to do a TIME-OUT;2 of us need to sign. I don't know about other shifts, but on nights, we do actually do them all the time. I don't know anyone who does not do them--even us oldtimers do them;