Med.Administration Error.

[DJ Trance AZ, BSN, RN]

Well this morning I was called to help because a nurse on the floor had mistakenly administered an insulin for a patient. The nurse is new on the unit, and she doesn't usually work on this particular unit. Thus, the patients she had were unfamiliar to her...

The nurse caught her error 10 minutes after giving the wrong insulin. So I came and called the DR. to report the error. He said to give an IM glucagon and to send the pt to the hospital. The paramedics came in 10 minutes and the pt's blood sugar was 13.6mmol...The pt was fully conscious and alert at the time of hospitalization. Another nurse from another unit came in to help and she was chastising the nurse who gave the wrong insulin. Needless to say, the nurse who gave the wrong med. was very nervous and was tearing...Ten minutes later 2 managers and a social worker came to the unit and interviewed the nurse right @ the unit!! There were other staff working in the area and obviously overhead the conversation...I wasn't involved in the discussion. However, I felt very bad for the nurse (who made the error) because the managers were discussing the incident in an open area where other staff could easily overhear the incident...

Yes, giving the wrong insulin is very serious, but being chastised by other colleagues was unnecessary...

I just wanted to vent my experience, that's all...

[chachh, BSN, RN]

That is sad. They should have spoken to that nurse in private. Confidentiality just does not apply to patients only. And we have all made med errors, whether big or small, and that feeling in the pit of your stomach is horrible. I hope it worked out for both the patient and the nurse. And at least she noticed her mistake before more time had passed!

[loveLA824901]

She felt bad enough for what she did. Those discussions should've taken place in an office, not out in the open.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

How awful for her.

[skittlebear]

OMG!!! This makes me very angry! I agree that this nurse should have been talked with in a private setting, away from everyone (and especially staff). It's bad enough that this NEW nurse feels guilty. She's already beating herself up ("crying"), and now the management and staff want to finish it off by beating her more. I would hate to make a med error period, but especially where you work. We are all human and make mistakes! Shame on them!

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Mistakes are supposed to be an educational opportunity, not time for a public shaming. Thats too bad.. Perhaps you can offer her some support :) Let her know its okay. ~Ivanna

[texas_lvn]

I remember my instructor saying "every nurse will make a med error, they are either too stupid to realize it or to dishonest to admit it, either way it kills"

support ya'lls way ((())).

[DJ Trance AZ, BSN, RN]

Well I just found out that the nurse who made the error was fired...I am flabbergasted...

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Well, that just stinks.

What a good way to let people know that if they mess up and make an error they should just keep their mouths shut!

[FowLaf24/7]

In my hospital, insulin is considered a "High Risk" drug; therefore, the insulin which is drawn up needs to be checked by another RN prior to administering it. Correct drug, right dose....! Double check please.....

I think the nurse should have been commended on reporting it, and instituting the solution to the problem. Someone should be fired only if they didn't report the incident...! What a crock...

[egglady, LPN]

the glucagon meter at my work would not register a 13.6.