Do you want to know what I find scary...

[RN1982]

It's when you point out something to a fellow nurse, that they are doing incorrectly, for example programming a IV pump incorrectly for a vasoactive drip and when you point out their error, they get all offended. It's frightening and irritating that people get offended by this as if the fact that it isn't my patient makes a difference. I have an obligation to all patients and if I catch an error I will surely point it out.

[Perpetual Student]

Yeah, it can be rather trying to try to correct people when they take interpret every suggestion as an assault on their competence, or even worse, personality. In your example it was such an innocuous error (though potentially serious in terms consequences depending on the nature of the error) that should've led to a simple "thanks, I'm still adjusting to this model of pump. How should I do it correctly?"

Obviously no nurse knows everything and we all have much to learn. Anyone who thinks otherwise is extremely dangerous.

[ukstudent]

TurnsLeftSide's example was anything but innocuous. Vasoactive drips programmed wrong can/will kill patients. That nurse should have been thanking you for saving their pt's life, their license and future career as a nurse. So sorry that you work with such insecure coworkers.

[Perpetual Student]

TurnsLeftSide's example was anything but innocuous. Vasoactive drips programmed wrong can/will kill patients. That nurse should have been thanking you for saving their pt's life, their license and future career as a nurse. So sorry that you work with such insecure coworkers.

It depends on the error she was making (the immediate example that popped into my head was that instead of programming in what the drip was into one of the new fancy pumps that she just programmed in the correct rate etc.), but I agree innocuous was a poor choice of words. I'll confess that I just plain assumed that the nurse had gotten the right rate because I couldn't comprehend someone getting annoyed over someone pointing out a major error like that. I guess that's really the point of this thread though: people making egregious errors and then acting like there's nothing wrong.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

Very often, it's in the approach, and the place. In front of the patient is a definite no-no. In fact, anywhere that someone can hear you is not appreciated. Also, sometimes it's easier to swallow if it's made to seem as though YOU are unsure. Ask the person to step out of the room for a moment, tell them you don't understand what is being done, that you thought it was a different way. Offer to get the instructions/policy/procedure. Most people are extremely sensitive to direct criticism.

[RN1982]

The concentrations were different in the pump set up than what was hanging..The patient was vented and no one was around. Either way, it's a patient safety issue which is why you always check your pumps.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Very often, it's in the approach, and the place. In front of the patient is a definite no-no. In fact, anywhere that someone can hear you is not appreciated. Also, sometimes it's easier to swallow if it's made to seem as though YOU are unsure. Ask the person to step out of the room for a moment, tell them you don't understand what is being done, that you thought it was a different way. Offer to get the instructions/policy/procedure. Most people are extremely sensitive to direct criticism.

While this is a valid observation, on the other side, if you are the one having your error pointed out, I find the best response is to avoid making a big stink, say something like "Oh yes, you are quite right, thank you!" and move on. Why the fuss?

[nursel56]

If they get their feelings hurt-- oh well. If you don't point it out, you're making it possible for another person on the receiving end of the incorrect vasoactive drip to have a not so happy outcome. I think the initial reaction is probably wounded pride, but when that person reflects on it later they may feel lucky you saved their butt before the life-risking error occurs.

I'll bet the nurse I knew who gave an infant ten times the epinephrine dose for their weight wishes to the Almighty that someone had stopped her.

[ONCRN84]

I usually thank people when they correct me like that. Just a simple "oh thanks for catching that!" Nursing is a team sport, no need to get ***** about a team member helping.

[ukstudent]

Very often, it's in the approach, and the place. In front of the patient is a definite no-no. In fact, anywhere that someone can hear you is not appreciated. Also, sometimes it's easier to swallow if it's made to seem as though YOU are unsure. Ask the person to step out of the room for a moment, tell them you don't understand what is being done, that you thought it was a different way. Offer to get the instructions/policy/procedure. Most people are extremely sensitive to direct criticism.

Your ideas might work if you see a coworker say, crushing an extended release tablet. However, if you are in the ICU and your patient needs vasopressors, that means that their blood pressure is low enough not to be perfusing the brain, the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, the liver etc., correctly. Each minute the patient does not get a corrected BP, is another minute closer to organ failure and then death.

Let me put it this way. If you are in a code and the patient is about to be shocked and you see someone leaning against the bed. What do you do? Say nothing, because it you might embarrass them in front of others. Or say something and possibly save their life, even if they are embarrassed.

I will probably get jumped on for this but if you are so thin skinned that you can't take criticism, you either can't or won't learn enough to be safe, then please don't work in the ICU.

[AlabamaBelle]

Thankfully, we check all our vasoactive gtts at the bedside. We use standard concentrations and do have an Excel type worksheet at the bedside and so-called "smart pumps." But, not every concentration is in the pump, (esp nanograms), so the majority of my co-workers and I still do the 2 or 3 person check. Those decimal places can be tricky and deadly.

And, the "smart" pumps are only as smart as the programmer.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

If it's an immediate thing, say something or fix the problem and move on. If you've already fixed it and are telling the person for future knowledge, it's worth taking the time to do so in a sensitive manner which will encourage actual change rather than being overly direct, causing the other person to get defensive, and in the end not change and make the mistake again.