Abuse and Neglect

[laronda134]

Is a medication error considered abuse and neglect? Pt given prn pain medicine in 4 and a half hours rather than 6 hours. This is my first med error and I feel so bad about it. And if so will I be on the OIG list.

[Katnip, RN]

OIG list?

No, it's not abuse and neglect. It's a med error. Did someone tell you it's abuse?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

It's a med error, not abuse and neglect. We all make mistakes and learn from them. I bet you don't make that one again. I wonder what OIG is too.

Don't be so hard on yourself. The patient was allright, I assume...

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

OIG - office of the inspector general?

[laronda134]

I was written up at work and the patient passed because an unrealted issue.

[laronda134]

I have seen where people where tagged for this for missing a medication. I have been a nurse four years and I have never had this happen.

[shiccy]

You feel like JUNK the first time you do it. It is something that happens, so don't worry.

The most important thing with meds are what? VITALS AND PATIENT CONDITION! The nice thing about pain meds is if you get in trouble, you can reverse them if it's an emergency. If the vitals are stable, the patient got a bit more pain relief, etc., then take a deep breath! Document everything, assess the patient a ton more often, and let the physician know about it if it's something that changes the patient condition. Oh and don't forget to write yourself up for it!

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Med errors get written up, either by the one who made the error or the one who found it. It happens and can help fix problems that lead to such errors. It doesn't mean you were abusive or neglectful, or that you're in danger of losing your job (unless there's more here than you're saying, of course). Being written up happens. The positive about that is it gets you to think about what happened and improve.

Try not to worry so much. It should be ok!