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.

Hello, I wrote before about the drug error I made which I reported which happend 31 may 08 but since then I have taken a backseat really have little confidence in myself and drug rounds and general nursing work. I get so stressed especially since the drug error. My manager had me in the office today telling me that I have written someones observations in the wrong chart also got the wrong drug box out while tryng to give someone the 7am tablet (under supervision) but I feel since the drug error I am still shocked and upset I believe it takes time get back from where you left off, but somehow people seem to forget that I have been through hell emotionally. I keep asking myself why is it me that seem to make mistakes or don't seem to get my workload better organised I feel a failure at the moment. Although I am still newly qualified but have made similar mistakes before and I get so upset and frustrated with myself and feel like a total idiot, is it just me or has anybody else had similar experiences. Anyway our clinical educator is coming to the ward to work a few shifts with me and helping me with time management and managing the workload & prioritising etc. I enjoy nursing but thought about leaving nursing due to all this.

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Specializes in ER.
Hello, I wrote before about the drug error I made which I reported which happend 31 may 08 but since then I have taken a backseat really have little confidence in myself and drug rounds and general nursing work. I get so stressed especially since the drug error. My manager had me in the office today telling me that I have written someones observations in the wrong chart also got the wrong drug box out while tryng to give someone the 7am tablet (under supervision) but I feel since the drug error I am still shocked and upset I believe it takes time get back from where you left off, but somehow people seem to forget that I have been through hell emotionally. I keep asking myself why is it me that seem to make mistakes or don't seem to get my workload better organised I feel a failure at the moment. Although I am still newly qualified but have made similar mistakes before and I get so upset and frustrated with myself and feel like a total idiot, is it just me or has anybody else had similar experiences. Anyway our clinical educator is coming to the ward to work a few shifts with me and helping me with time management and managing the workload & prioritising etc. I enjoy nursing but thought about leaving nursing due to all this.

perhaps you need to purposefully take a deep breath, write down every med for every patient you need to provide (like in nursing school). Write the TIME it is due and check, check, and recheck again. Sounds like checking a 4th time (just for your nerves) would help also. You need to have confidence in yourself. If it takes having another nurse look at the meds, look at the MAR - it would take two minutes for them to review it, just until you feel like you're making your way back. I can imagine it would psychologically torment you after a med error - (what kind of med error?)

You HAVE to get back in the saddle and make progress, otherwise it really might hinder you.

I would say, again, to make a list of your patients and their meds and times - go also into the patient's rooms and say "ok, at 1800, I will bring in ...... " to make sure they are aware of what they will be getting. This will help with your mental reminders as well, until you become more organized. You can do it. Take your time - go slow, who cares what goes on - check many many times and ask your fellow nurses to please be patient while you get back into the saddle. They must understand - any kind person would.

If that doesn't work - ask if you could have a mentor for a bit to shadow for their med pass help - watch how others that you admire do it. Update back to the post when things are going better - good luck!!!! :)

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Great suggestions given here!!

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Thanks for your advice yes I will take my time now and I also have a mentor who will support me. I will soon work with the clincal educator who than will help me to show me where I can make improvements etc. Can't wait to work with her. Since the drug error I tripple check everything and tripple check again and again. I hope with time I will get back to where I was. Thanks again for your advice!!!:nuke:

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