Drug error

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:cry: I have made a drug error when doing meds round on the ward and got distracted by my collegue who asked me a question but instead of giving the meds to to Patient A I went over and gave it to the patient next to patient A which was 10 mg Amlodepine and 4mg Doxasocin (not sure of spelling) I reported the drug error immediatley. Unfortunately this patient died 3 days later, this patient was a very ill patient and had a lot of medical problems to start with and sister and matron treating it as a genuine mistake but because the patient died it has to go to a coroner and a toxicology report to find out cause of death which is fine. the whole thing has upset me having given the wrong drug, but now seeing that it's going for a tox test makes me feel as if I was a criminal or something and I started to get really paranoid thinking what if they find something really really small. am I going to be blamed??? I'm so upset about the whole thing and the Trust are supporting me and so is the RCN but it really makes you feel as if you are a bad person it puts me into a position I have nerver had to deal with before it's so awful and sooo scary. Can somebody please help relieving me of my worries as I don't know what's happening. the tox report comes back about end July 2008.
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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing, ICU.
:cry: I have made a drug error when doing meds round on the ward and got distracted by my collegue who asked me a question but instead of giving the meds to to Patient A I went over and gave it to the patient next to patient A which was 10 mg Amlodepine and 4mg Doxasocin (not sure of spelling) I reported the drug error immediatley. Unfortunately this patient died 3 days later, this patient was a very ill patient and had a lot of medical problems to start with and sister and matron treating it as a genuine mistake but because the patient died it has to go to a coroner and a toxicology report to find out cause of death which is fine. the whole thing has upset me having given the wrong drug, but now seeing that it's going for a tox test makes me feel as if I was a criminal or something and I started to get really paranoid thinking what if they find something really really small. am I going to be blamed??? I'm so upset about the whole thing and the Trust are supporting me and so is the RCN but it really makes you feel as if you are a bad person it puts me into a position I have nerver had to deal with before it's so awful and sooo scary. Can somebody please help relieving me of my worries as I don't know what's happening. the tox report comes back about end July 2008.

Pippi1969,

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. It was an honest mistake and we are all human. We all make mistakes. It is unfortunate that the person passed but she had other medical issues. I understand that it's hard but try not to beat yourself up about it. Did you talk to your nsg manager or human resources? Someone who would advocate for you, someone who can help you through this situation. Hang in there.

XOXOXO:icon_hug::kiss

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I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. First off remember that we've all had med errors in some form or another and it's a horrifying experience. Sounds like you took the right steps by reporting it. My prayers are with you that all will work out and you'll be able to use this as a learning experience.

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Thanks for your sympathy,yes I have reported the drug error to everybody and RCN are involved, is just I keep thinking of the tox report and imagine things like "oh what if they find something will I get blamed etc" I know it's irrational thinking but I think anybody in my situation would think like that. I would never hurt anybody and it's a very difficult time for me and my family as I have 2 young kids and it's affecting everybody. Like you said mistakes do happen and this is what makes us human. I wish I could stop worrying :cry:

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:cry: I have made a drug error when doing meds round on the ward and got distracted by my collegue who asked me a question but instead of giving the meds to to Patient A I went over and gave it to the patient next to patient A which was 10 mg Amlodepine and 4mg Doxasocin (not sure of spelling) I reported the drug error immediatley. Unfortunately this patient died 3 days later, this patient was a very ill patient and had a lot of medical problems to start with and sister and matron treating it as a genuine mistake but because the patient died it has to go to a coroner and a toxicology report to find out cause of death which is fine. the whole thing has upset me having given the wrong drug, but now seeing that it's going for a tox test makes me feel as if I was a criminal or something and I started to get really paranoid thinking what if they find something really really small. am I going to be blamed??? I'm so upset about the whole thing and the Trust are supporting me and so is the RCN but it really makes you feel as if you are a bad person it puts me into a position I have nerver had to deal with before it's so awful and sooo scary. Can somebody please help relieving me of my worries as I don't know what's happening. the tox report comes back about end July 2008.

Im in the same position except I got suspended for not hanging an IV bag. The resident went to the hosp (a few days later) but has since returned to the facility. I received no prior warning and had no prev offense. Today my suspension is over I have to go to work and find out my fate. I have been told by co workers I was fired. (not told this by DON yet) I am nervous and woke up this am sick to my stomach. This is what I get for bending over backwards for this LTC facility, working OT when needed, always working short staffed, being charge nurse, taking no breaks often this list goes on. See my other postings under the heading Termination. thanks and good luck. I have talked to the state, lawyers, the unemployment office you name it. I may have more info if you need it. :redbeathe

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.

Hi Pippi, I don't have anything to add to the constructiive information that you have already received, but am sending you good vibes...it sounds like a nightmarish sitaution for you, but I bet that you come thru it stronger in the end. In the meantime, please take care of yourself!

e:redbeathe

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hi pipi what a scary situation. may i suggest something here? the two drugs you gave were heart drugs right? as a nurse you have access to drug information right? so look up things like half life of said drugs interactions and mechanism of action. i think you may be in LTC setting or rehab? did the pts pressure bottom out? did the heart rate bradydown to near nothing and stay there? was this person already receiving heart meds? this was three days later- did you have the resident after this error what kinds of things did you notice in your assessment of the patient?

i know you are probably obsessing over this as anyone in your situation would be , rightfully so, but try and use some of that worry constructively and start some investigation on your own. look up drug dosages for each and how old was this patient/resident?

not sure if any of this helped, but hang in there and keep us posted.:specs:

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I am sorry to hear that! I think you should try and relax a little, I know it is difficult to do when you are in a situation like that but just stop thinking about that for now, there is nothing that you can do to make it better, you did take correct step:report immediately after you found out about the error. As you said your family is also involved and suffering as well. Have faith that everything is going to work out good:up:

:cry: I have made a drug error when doing meds round on the ward and got distracted by my collegue who asked me a question but instead of giving the meds to to Patient A I went over and gave it to the patient next to patient A which was 10 mg Amlodepine and 4mg Doxasocin (not sure of spelling) I reported the drug error immediatley. Unfortunately this patient died 3 days later, this patient was a very ill patient and had a lot of medical problems to start with and sister and matron treating it as a genuine mistake but because the patient died it has to go to a coroner and a toxicology report to find out cause of death which is fine. the whole thing has upset me having given the wrong drug, but now seeing that it's going for a tox test makes me feel as if I was a criminal or something and I started to get really paranoid thinking what if they find something really really small. am I going to be blamed??? I'm so upset about the whole thing and the Trust are supporting me and so is the RCN but it really makes you feel as if you are a bad person it puts me into a position I have nerver had to deal with before it's so awful and sooo scary. Can somebody please help relieving me of my worries as I don't know what's happening. the tox report comes back about end July 2008.
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I will try to relax probably with a glass of wine, thanks anyway!!!

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:saint:Hi there,

Just read your posting and a number of issues arose. May I ask if were dispensing drugs alone?? Was there no registered nurse present?? Most NHS policies would indicate that student nurses should be working under the guidance and supervision of a registered nurse!!! In addition, remember this...most people in hospital are there because they are ill....most likely the patient in question would have died anyway irrespective of the drug error. From a legal perspective you did not set out to hurt the patient!!!! It is very unlikely that this patient died as a result of the error you made!!! Lets face it if they were going to die as a result of a drug error....it would be unlikely to be 3 days following the drug administration!!!!

The fact that you admitted the error promptly suggests that you are a responsible and accountable practitioner and I would love if more people adopted your attitude! The first response to resolving the issue of medication errors is to admit that they are happening. Such admissions should not be punished but each incident should be reflected upon and questions regarding how you might change your practice to improve upon it, ought to be asked. We are alll human and mistakes happen. I think that it is highly unlikely that you will receive bad news about this incident but I am glad to see that you are remorseful and want to ensure that this does not happen again!!! Try not to worry too much and instead focus on how you might avoid this ever happening again! Best wishes! Let me know how you get on!

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Thanks everybody for your support and kind words. The Trust treats it like a genuine drug error which it was and there will be no more from there re disciplinary, but on Wednesday I have to speak to the police giving a statement which is ok but it's all so scary I never had to give a statement to the police, and I hope they won't keep me there. It's all so upsetting and frightening. I will have a solicitor with me and I have the full support of the RCN as they understand especially when it comes to drug errors.So hopefully everything is going to be ok :scrying:

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:saint:Hi there,

Just read your posting and a number of issues arose. May I ask if were dispensing drugs alone?? Was there no registered nurse present?? Most NHS policies would indicate that student nurses should be working under the guidance and supervision of a registered nurse!!! In addition, remember this...most people in hospital are there because they are ill....most likely the patient in question would have died anyway irrespective of the drug error. From a legal perspective you did not set out to hurt the patient!!!! It is very unlikely that this patient died as a result of the error you made!!! Lets face it if they were going to die as a result of a drug error....it would be unlikely to be 3 days following the drug administration!!!!

The fact that you admitted the error promptly suggests that you are a responsible and accountable practitioner and I would love if more people adopted your attitude! The first response to resolving the issue of medication errors is to admit that they are happening. Such admissions should not be punished but each incident should be reflected upon and questions regarding how you might change your practice to improve upon it, ought to be asked. We are alll human and mistakes happen. I think that it is highly unlikely that you will receive bad news about this incident but I am glad to see that you are remorseful and want to ensure that this does not happen again!!! Try not to worry too much and instead focus on how you might avoid this ever happening again! Best wishes! Let me know how you get on!

Thanks for your response and encouraging words. I am an RN and the medication was actually NSS. The bag was to be continuous & changed on each shift. Supposedly the person went to the hospital and their trying to say it was because the bag wasnt hung? Im not sure when the resident went to hosp. but I think it was a few days later and she did return to facility after a day or 2 in the hospital. The pt was a post CABG who was having some abnormal labs. The DON also mentioned 2 other incidents. 1. was a bowel prep wasnt done on a res. (which I never got this in report and the other nurse that neglected to tell me this was only written up -I got terminated) and also they said I didnt give oxygen to a lady w O2 sat @80% which is not true. I started a standing order for supp. 02 and her sats came up to >90%. They said I didnt chart this but I specifically remember charting. Since I was suspended before termination I was unable to go back to facility to look @ charts and circumstances around termination..I just had to take their word for it. It so not fair and 1 sided. I just feel full of despair because I was unable to defend myself and Im sure there has been defamation of my character because the other employees knew what was going on before I did.:banghead:

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