Coached on carrying Narcotics in my pocket...

[royaso]

I checked out two Norcos for my patient but at the bedside, I noticed he is allowed only one at a time. I told him he can have the other one in 4 hours. I put the pill in my pocket and gave it after 4 hours. When my supervisor found out, she had me sign a "coaching record" and told me I should have learned this from school - not to carry narcotics in my pocket. I have been all upset since this happened and can't get it out of my head. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I wouldn't guarantee mine are sanitary either, I just don't see how they are any MORE dirty. Or how meds would be contaminated in them when they are in sealed containers and packages. I wish we could return them, I see so much go to waste. Especially because we have primarily peds patients and the stock is more fitting for adults. Like the 12.5 mL containers of Tylenol with Codeine and most times I am only using 2-3 mL's. The other day we only had 10 mL vials of Morphine and only needed 1 mg each time. Lots and lots of waste.

nothing irritates me more than having to pull a 2ml vial of dilauded to administer 0.2-0.4mg, or a 10ml vial of morphine to administer 1mg. AHH. So so so so so wasteful.

we're allowed to return unopened oral narcs thankfully.

[Katie5]

We can return oral narcs that have been unopened with a witness. The same with an unopened vial or syringe of say dilaudid.

I would not guarantee my pockets are sanitary. That is why I wash my hands before touching the patient and don't put any type of patient supply in my pocket.

Alcohol swabs, maybe?

[belle005]

I had a similar thing happen, but I put the extra narc in the locked patient drawer instead of my pocket. I just got a verbal coaching from an RN on the floor. I just took it as education and next time I'll definitely return it to the proper place. No big deal though... just learn from it.

[royaso]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom!

I enjoyed reading all the comments and I have learned a lesson that I may have been taught in school, but this time I will not forget :)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Putting pt. narcotics on your person can put you in a situation where you could be accused of drug diversion. Take the counsel you were given and chalk this up to a lesson learned.

Agreed. Walking around with narcs in your pocket does look suspicious....and once suspicion falls on you, it's hard to disprove, especially when it's your word vs. objective evidence (what the person sees you carrying in your pocket). And the old standby "but I'd offer to take a drug test to prove my innocence" doesn't always wash because a lot of nurses don't divert for themselves but divert for others.

Also, what if you lost or misplaced it? Or worse...gave it to someone else by mistake?

We all make mistakes...learn from it then put it behind you.