First Med Error

Mistakes happen. Whether people believe it or not, no one isperfect. Don't be so hard on yourself. I wouldnt quit a job every time I made a mistake. It will make you more attentive next time!

I don't think I would quit, yet. This looks like an excellent opportunity to initiate a change that would benefit the entire facility. As patient advocates, nurses need to identify issues that have the potential for compromising patient safety and work to correct these issues. Ask your co-workers if they are satisfied with the MARs, you might find most of them would support you in trying to fix a dangerous situation.

I don't think I would quit, yet. This looks like an excellent opportunity to initiate a change that would benefit the entire facility. As patient advocates, nurses need to identify issues that have the potential for compromising patient safety and work to correct these issues. Ask your co-workers if they are satisfied with the MARs, you might find most of them would support you in trying to fix a dangerous situation.

I completely agree. Also, to the OP, I don't think it looked like you were trying to "make excuses" for your med error, just showing that you had really thought this through and pinpointed where the system went down. I would discuss the issue with the dangerous MARs and see what can be put into place. It looks like a rather dangerous idea. It's been years since I've dealt with a handwritten MAR - I've grown accustomed to computerized MARS or charting meds on computer. That way the meds also go through a verification process with pharmacy (since they enter the orders into the computer system and we double check the entered orders for accuracy).

Good luck!

I agree with joaha. Accept your mistake, but definitely talk to risk management about this problem. I would make a copy of the messy MAR to send along with my incident report. Heck I would copy every messy MAR I come across and start a campaign to improve things. Do your nurses attend any type of quality council meetings. This might be a good thing to try and start.

Remember, you're not trying to cause trouble when you initiate these kinds of changes...Your trying to improve patient care and safety!

We used to use handwritten MARS up until about a year ago, and I don't miss them at all! It's a lot nicer to have the computer double check things with you!

I can see why you are upset - it's a system that could obviously use improvement. It seems like you are angry because it never should have happened, and if there is a way to fix it, you should go for it! Especially for the safety of the kiddos!

Why was the kid getting adderall at night? Was it a actually ordered that way?

I've never worked in a peds psych unit... I'm completely suprised that kids have 6-10 pages of meds... wow.

Sounds like you are doing a good job with the lousy system. I probably would have made a med error the first day. From what you've described, you are being way to hard of yourself.

To be honest it does happen to everyone at some point. Did any harm come to anyone because of it? I would talk w/ the manager about electronic MAR's or some standardization so it clears up other potential errors.

Every nurse is going to make mistakes. If your worried about the saftey of your facility vs, your nursing license I may think about quiting, but that has to be up to you. I wouldn't worry so much about the mistake. It's like I tell every new grad I orient , "if a nurse tells you they've been a nurse for a long time and has never made a mistake, either they are lying or they're too studpid to realize it".

Nobody is perfect!

We all learn from mistake!

We all make mistake...well...unintentionally!

Don't quit! Don't give up!

Life goes on!

Life is short! Be happy!