Oops, sorry! Son got wrong vaccination - page 5
My son is 8 years old. He had a well-child check up Friday. NP said he's due for varrivax booster and they also recommend Hep A. I had never heard of Hep A for kids. She said that it's not a new... Read More
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Oct 2, '06Beside you being totally justified for being upset that they would give something to your son that you did not give consent and did not want, you very clearly have a lawsuit here. -
Oct 2, '06Quote from kalayaanget her!! for all our sakes and for the sake of all our kids!
she was wrong from start to finish. this person, if she is a nurse, will tarnish our reputation in general. she will jeopardize the healthcare system. and we dont want that. who knows what shell do next time.
What happened was a result of a systems problem, and not necessarily the tech/aide. I blame the NP and the MDs and whomever devised their system for administering medications. They're taking short cuts and have a pretty poor system for ordering medications where errors could easily happen. Sure the aide was rude (probably because she was overworked or asked to do something she was unqualified to do - ie. give immunizations), but your discontent should be directed to the decision-makers who decided to use an unqualified health care provider and use a system where someone could easily misinterpret an order.
And lawsuits? I think actually injury needs to occur to have a viable lawsuit. We already have too many lawsuits - don't think this justifies one unless your son required further medical care due to their negligence.Last edit by ArmyMSN on Oct 2, '06 -
Oct 2, '06Quote from ArmyMSNjust an FYI...(In Arizona) MAs can give immunizations, albuterol SVNs, and do TB skin tests...Their providers (MD, PA, NP) are responsible for their certs.What happened was a result of a systems problem, and not necessarily the tech/aide. I blame the NP and the MDs and whomever devised their system for administering medications. They're taking short cuts and have a pretty poor system for ordering medications where errors could easily happen. Sure the aide was rude (probably because she was overworked or asked to do something she was unqualified to do - ie. give immunizations), but your discontent should be directed to the decision-makers who decided to use an unqualified health care provider and use a system where someone could easily misinterpret an order.
And lawsuits? I think actually injury needs to occur to have a viable lawsuit. We already have too many lawsuits - don't think this justifies one unless your son required further medical care due to their negligence.
good point about the lawsuits... -
Oct 2, '06Quote from ArmyMSNI'll keep this in mind next time I have the shift from ****. If we are short staffed or everyone is on their call light or everyone is puking and pooping and I am feeling overworked, it is OK to be rude to our residents...maybe I can be rude to their families and staff too.Sure the aide was rude (probably because she was overworked or asked to do something she was unqualified to do - ie. give immunizations), but your discontent should be directed to the decision-makers who decided to use an unqualified health care provider and use a system where someone could easily misinterpret an order.
I see your point that people get stressed when they are "overworked," but there is no reason to be rude...when things get crazy, you need to take a deep breath and smile like you mean it...and when things are really bad, you need to work at making a point of being nice...it's too easy to get sucked in to the "I am having a bad day, so I am going to make your day bad too" game.Last edit by flashpoint on Oct 2, '06 -
Oct 2, '06Quote from ArmyMSNI don't think the OP mentioned anything about a lawsuit. I think she was asking for opinions on how to deal with this situation. Yes, it is true, that an MD or NP is responsible for the MA's med error. But, we still don't know if it was a MA or a licensed nurse. And yes, it does sound like they have a faulty system that they use in their practice. As far as the person being rude because she's overwoked etc. Hogwash!!That doesn't give her the right to be rude. We all have bad days and still manage to give other human beings the respect that they rightfully deserve.What happened was a result of a systems problem, and not necessarily the tech/aide. I blame the NP and the MDs and whomever devised their system for administering medications. They're taking short cuts and have a pretty poor system for ordering medications where errors could easily happen. Sure the aide was rude (probably because she was overworked or asked to do something she was unqualified to do - ie. give immunizations), but your discontent should be directed to the decision-makers who decided to use an unqualified health care provider and use a system where someone could easily misinterpret an order.
And lawsuits? I think actually injury needs to occur to have a viable lawsuit. We already have too many lawsuits - don't think this justifies one unless your son required further medical care due to their negligence. -
Oct 2, '06Quote from RNgirlieclarificationBeside you being totally justified for being upset that they would give something to your son that you did not give consent and did not want, you very clearly have a lawsuit here.
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Oct 2, '06Oh dear! I am very sorry this happened to you, and I had the same thing happen to me and my son! I wonder what it is that is missing in the checks and balances system that needs to be addressed!
My son was getting his shots, and I voted NOT to give him the Chicken Pox vaccine (he was still very very young).
My reason was simple, with the chicken pox...you get it and you know it is done, but with the vaccine...what if it doesn't work, or you need boosters, or a batch is bad...etc. I felt he was young and healthy and able to have it under my care and I could be assured it wouldnt' be a probelm later in his life...
The nurse came in, didn't really speak much...gave the shot...and I was like "whoaaaaaahhhhhh what did you just give????". I was so mad!
But alas...I have told my son to keep up on info regarding the vaccine, and I continue to check it out. We also have his MD informed (new one).
That just made me so mad...they needed my signed concent for this...and they did it without it and a verbal declination! Uhggggggg...but oh well what can you do... -
Oct 2, '06Are you guys serious??? Jeez, I thought this was a board full of nurses who have been put in situations which a mistake could have happened??? Oh wait, we're all beyond reproach, right? We'd never make a mistake.
And how many people here are screaming 'lawsuit'???? I wonder why we can't get raises...all the money and energy and time is going to BS lawsuits. ***. For a lawsuit to be successful there has to be HARM, actual harm involved. This kid got the first dose...protecting him from hepatitis A...which probably protects the mom. Most kids don't have any symptoms from Hep A disease but pass it on readily. Adults, after a period of being non symptomatic have serious problems from it...hence the need for vaccine. (it doesn't stop people from working at fast food restaurants) How do you know who is preparing your food? I have given literally a thousand Hepatitis A injections with no reports of even minor swelling afterward. Yep, there is commonly soreness at the site, which is minor considering HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS. I'd pretty much guess that the Varicella vaccine caused the redness. Hep A is given IM and can be given in the thigh or arm. I prefer the thigh until age 5...for any vaccine. Main reason is because it is easier for the nurse to give a shot there and still hold the child. Parents are notorious for not being good at holding them down...and I'd rather not have a needle break off in someones muscle.
Now as far as getting consent...yes this person should have made it clear exactly what was given before it was given. But it is not mandatory to get parent signatures, etc. Most places do obtain signatures because of fear of BS lawsuits. And everyone gets mad because they have to wait for 1-2- hours in the immunization clinic.
I am not surprised by someone coming here to vent about a situation like this (who wouldn't be mad about this...) but what I am surprised is how our profession can't wait to pounce on others WITHIN OUR OWN PROFESSION who are not absolutely PERFECT. A few words to the manager of the clinic should suffice (unless actual harm occurs due to the immunization) so it can be brought to the attention of the clinic. It sounds to me like a 'system' problem rather than any specific person being at fault.
At last count; 13 states in the USA require Hep A immunizations for school entry...and that number will only increase. I'm sure in your research you know that it is a TWO shot series....ONE now and one in (after) SIX months...and you don't have to repeat the first dose if you don't get it on time. It is given every day in my clinic to children age 12 months, safely.
This thread should be a head's up to us all that bedside manner and patient/parent teaching is one of the most important things we can do. -
Oct 2, '06I agree with the hep A...my son needed it for school too!
Yeah, even in my situation with the chicken pox vaccine (which did need signed consent) I wasn't thinking of a lawsuit or getting back...it was a mistake that shouldn't have been made, and I urged them to check thier system for how this can be avoided in the future, because the next time could be worse (a lawsuit friendly person, an allergic reaction, etc).
The nurse who gave my son his was very sorry, and I knew she was...and I wasn't THAT mad, and she and the MD (who was my ped MD...yep he is old..LOL!) discussed it with me and how to avoid this. They even dropped the bill for the exam and vaccines (The MD paid for it). I was mad yes, but not so mad that I couldn't look at the mistake as just that, and move on!
Just a funny side note too...for what a small world we live in is! Many years later, I was going out with some friends and one had a new girlfriend. It was THAT nurse! LOL! She saw my son and I an instantly remembered as well as I. We giggled about it, and had a great time jet skiing! She and I shared RN stories and had a blast together! She was so greatful I wasn't still mad or upset...and I wasn't! It didn't hurt my son, and I calked it up as a learning experience for both of us!
Yes, nurses make mistakes...humans make mistakes...but to get all lawsuit happy...well, that is the reason we nurses live in fear of doing things remember?!?!? All the lawsuits that can come our way with the slightest mistake in charting or skill/tx!
I didn't EVEN think to sue the nurse/MD that made the mistake with my son...that wouldn't have helped anyone, and more than likely would take a good nurse that simply made a mistake, and a great Ped MD out of business and leave hundreds of people without their help! It wasn't worth that to me!!!!!! -
Oct 2, '06Quote from LPNtoBSNstudentIsn't the issue here that the med was given without an order and against the parent's wishes not whether or not the med is beneficial to the child. It seems that most people here agree that the immunizations are beneficial.Are you guys serious??? Jeez, I thought this was a board full of nurses who have been put in situations which a mistake could have happened??? Oh wait, we're all beyond reproach, right? We'd never make a mistake.
And how many people here are screaming 'lawsuit'???? I wonder why we can't get raises...all the money and energy and time is going to BS lawsuits. ***. For a lawsuit to be successful there has to be HARM, actual harm involved. This kid got the first dose...protecting him from hepatitis A...which probably protects the mom. Most kids don't have any symptoms from Hep A disease but pass it on readily. Adults, after a period of being non symptomatic have serious problems from it...hence the need for vaccine. (it doesn't stop people from working at fast food restaurants) How do you know who is preparing your food? I have given literally a thousand Hepatitis A injections with no reports of even minor swelling afterward. Yep, there is commonly soreness at the site, which is minor considering HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS. I'd pretty much guess that the Varicella vaccine caused the redness. Hep A is given IM and can be given in the thigh or arm. I prefer the thigh until age 5...for any vaccine. Main reason is because it is easier for the nurse to give a shot there and still hold the child. Parents are notorious for not being good at holding them down...and I'd rather not have a needle break off in someones muscle.
Now as far as getting consent...yes this person should have made it clear exactly what was given before it was given. But it is not mandatory to get parent signatures, etc. Most places do obtain signatures because of fear of BS lawsuits. And everyone gets mad because they have to wait for 1-2- hours in the immunization clinic.
I am not surprised by someone coming here to vent about a situation like this (who wouldn't be mad about this...) but what I am surprised is how our profession can't wait to pounce on others WITHIN OUR OWN PROFESSION who are not absolutely PERFECT. A few words to the manager of the clinic should suffice (unless actual harm occurs due to the immunization) so it can be brought to the attention of the clinic. It sounds to me like a 'system' problem rather than any specific person being at fault.
At last count; 13 states in the USA require Hep A immunizations for school entry...and that number will only increase. I'm sure in your research you know that it is a TWO shot series....ONE now and one in (after) SIX months...and you don't have to repeat the first dose if you don't get it on time. It is given every day in my clinic to children age 12 months, safely.
This thread should be a head's up to us all that bedside manner and patient/parent teaching is one of the most important things we can do. -
Oct 2, '06Quote from drpsrnYes, most. But my son is allergic to one of them. What if....?Isn't the issue here that the med was given without an order and against the parent's wishes not whether or not the med is beneficial to the child. It seems that most people here agree that the immunizations are beneficial. -
Oct 2, '06This almost happened to my son. I told them I didn't want for him to get the flu shot (for my own reasons) and then the nurse came in with his immunizations and one of them was the flu shot. I didn't complain about it since I caught her before she gave him the shot, but I would have been very upset if she gave it to him.
