Oops, sorry! Son got wrong vaccination

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 5 of Oops, sorry! Son got wrong vaccination

rnsrgr8t

395 Posts

Specializes in Peds Urology,primary care, hem/onc.

I used to work in a Primary Care office and I am absolutely appalled for you! You NEVER do anything that causes pain to a child without warning them first. Even if it is "just" a finger prick. As far as the vaccines, at my old office a parent had to sign for each vaccine and give consent. I would go through each one and have the parent sign PRIOR to giving anything to make sure they knew what I was giving. I think that is mandate by law, but you would have to look into that. As far as where she gave the shots, I do pefer giving them in the arms at that age, but I always gave the parents the option and it did not ever have anything to do with the child being "a baby" or not. In my old office, that behavior would not be tolerated. I am not sure how much a role the NP had in the situation but whoever it was that gave the shots needs to be reprimanded. There is no excuse for her not to introduce herself to you either. Let us know how it goes!

I'm not sure how to ask this without sounding harsh, but how did you not notice her giving two shots? Or preparing both legs for injections?

mamason

555 Posts

Specializes in cardiac.
I'm not sure how to ask this without sounding harsh, but how did you not notice her giving two shots? Or preparing both legs for injections?

I believe the OP was expecting her son to receive the Varivax vaccination, not the Hep A. The Hep A was given anyway. Her son would have probably had his pants down in anticipation of receiving only one shot. Not two. The OP did not see the administration of the vaccine because she was busy trying to hold her son for the administration. The Hep A vaccine is what is in question. It was given without mom's consent. I believe that's what the OP was questioning. This is my understanding of the OP's posts.:wink2:

kalayaan

109 Posts

get 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.

RNgirlie

70 Posts

Specializes in med-surg, BICU.

Beside 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.

ArmyMSN

71 Posts

get 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.

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.

just 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.

good point about the lawsuits...

flashpoint

1,327 Posts

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'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.

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.

mamason

555 Posts

Specializes in cardiac.
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.

I 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.

Beside 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.

clarification

mamason

555 Posts

Specializes in cardiac.
clarification

Got it.:deadhorse I stand corrected. Shame on me.

Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Oh 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...

+ Add a Comment