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Discussion

found a pill/not given....

I was picking up and found a pill on the floor in the package. Because the pill had been washed, I could not read the package. I opened it and found it was an oxycodone. I give meds pretty much all the time, and the uniform that was washed was from at least Thursday. Obviously I feel horrible that I apparently didn't give someone a med (AND they didn't tell me :( ) but that I can't know who it should have gone to to write an incident report. And, I have been under a lot of stress (dad passed away, last week my first week back, school started and I got sick) and I don't even know that it was meant to be given. For all I know, I was gonna return it!

So, I am a good nurse-I would NEVER take this medication. Should I just give it to the pharmacy at work, or just flush it? (or whatever would be appropriate disposal). I can't credit it. This may be a question that I should just ask pharmacy-but I feel very guilty that it made it home with me. Had I not found it, I doubt anyone would have even known.....

this sucks.

thanks,

mel

Featured Replies

FLUSH IT, NOW!!!! Then, fugettaboutit!:smokin:

  • Author

what pill????? ; )

Report what? It was an honest mistake, you know you didn't mean it. Did anyone say that a count was off? Sorry, but I wouldn't say a thing. Be more careful, do the five checks and make sure it doesn't happen again, but I sure wouldn't give them my head on a platter.

I agree!!!....I work in an assisted living and when I went in to work the second shift the nurse before me..had signed off on meds that she/he forgot to give......since I could not give them....I flushed them....and that was that!!! I do not tell on anyone....I believe in protecting one another!!! SINCE NO HARM WAS DONE!!!!

  • Experts

Don't become a part of the "snitch" culture. . .

Flush the pill. Don't report it. Forget about it.

  • Author

I truly do appreciate the feedback, and I am even more happy to see everyone seems on the same page. And you know, you are right about watching out for each other. (as long as the patient doesn't suffer, of course)

My last LTC was all about snitching. And funny, but some people got snitched on more than others. And others were professional snitchers. One of my co-workers wrote me up because I mistakenly wrote in the COMMENTS that I took an AP for the pt's lisinopril, not dig.

FLUSH IT and FORGET ABOUT IT!!! We've all came home with one pill or another in our pockets, we're human and mistakes are made. Don't sweat it.

Just the other day, I mistakenly came home with two heparin vials, an insulin and pneumococcal vaccine. I said to myself "Gosh darn it...that's what I get for not checking my pockets!". Threw them in the garbage and called it a night. As time goes on, you'll learn not to sweat the small stuff. I am not dismissing your fear, because all new nurses experience this. But, you learn, you laugh at yourself and move on. At least, now, you know you have plenty of company...(and we'll keep your secret...)

I have taken to always emptying my pockets at the end of shift. It actually saved me from accidentally taking home a Dilaudid injection! (EEEKKK!!!!). I nearly died, but gave the injection and went home a little wiser. Flush away! Live and learn.:D

I wish the nurses at the ltc facility I work at felt you all do. I have been in ltc nursing for only 2 months though I have been a LPN for 18 years and I feel like someone is always watching to find something you might have missed. They never bring anything to you, they always leave a note for the DON. It is a hard working environment when you feel like you are watching your back all the time and everyone is out to find mistakes that co workers make!:argue:

I,m a retired nurse of 30 years. My advice? Flush the darn thing and keep it to yourself!!!

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