Crap!

[Creamsoda]

So long story short, had really busy day. Wait, a horrible crap day. code blue and the fall out ect. So anyhow, I just checked my pocket at home...and theres a narcotic vial in there!!!! Its not uncracked, still sealed ect, but crap!!!! I feel like a felon, haha. I dont work tomorrow, but im back the next day, so I know I can take it to pharmacy, but untill this hot potato is out of my hands I wont be able to relax!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Miller, the OP said there was a code blue. In a code situation, you don't use a Pyxis- you use the code cart. Lots of meds are kept sealed in there. The OP could have grabbed it in an emergency but then the doc changed their mind and didn't want it. So the OP quickly stored it in her pocket (easy to do).

Same could be true for a Pyxis item. You get in for an emergency but then the patient improves and it's not needed.

She also could have been cleaning up, picked up the unopened vial to return it to be Pyxis, but gotten distracted and dropped the med in her pocket to return later, but forgot. Also easy to do.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I have a healthy fear of narcotic vials that I have not disposed of properly.

Bad experience with a diverting nurse. No, it wasn't me.:)

I would have turned around and returned to work immediately. Another 1 1/2 hr round trip. It would have been worth my peace of mind.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

I did that once. Called and told my charge and then got in my car, drove back to work and returned it the same night. Too risky IMO

[Miller86]

Miller, the OP said there was a code blue. In a code situation, you don't use a Pyxis- you use the code cart."Thank you!! I honestly must have skipped over the part where the OP mentioned the code. Of course that would make perfect sense. Thanks for answering that:)

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Had I drove in muself I would have turned around had I known it was there, I live a ways away but its a carpool and I didnt even realize it untill late that night. Anyway I returned it today, explained to pharmacy what happened. They were just happy it didnt go through the wash and were quite nice about it. Got credited back to the patient so theres a paper trail now. I definately will be more carefull from now on, even though I usually am, its just one of those things where its like "oh $hi%! Anyway i appreciate all your replies.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Do not walk but RUN back to work and return it. Sorry this happened to you but I do have a few questions in general that anyone can answer:How can you take out a narcotic for a patient yet it's still sealed? Does that mean the patient never received it? Can someone explain it to me how that system works. I'm asking in all seriousness. Where I work there would be no sealed vial if the patient received it. And if it was supposed to be kept sealed then it would remain in the narc drawer. And how come it was not noticed during a count? Just curious. Thanks.

Yes it was a vial that I pulled because we were having vent issues after intubation but they resolved with some other interventions first so it was not needed so I had not even cracked it. It was pulled out of pyxis so there was no count problem. It was just not administered

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Is this a serious post or a bad joke?

Yes it was serious, what can I say, crap happens, I didnt think it was funny, I was horrified, trust me.