Right med but suspended

[CJ2121]

Need help. I was pulled into HR concerning a patient's chart. I gave the right pt the correct antibiotic at the correct time. BUT it would not scan. I got caught up with a few other pts and two hrs later went in and manually entered the med was given and at what time. I got suspended. I have been a RN for two years, always on time, worked extra shifts and volunteered to come it at times.

It seems that did not matter. My supervisor was not there nor my assistent supervisor. I told them this should be a teachable moment not suspension. Also we have problems with the COWs all the time.

I feel like this was not fair.

I said that I feel that i should not be fired over this. They said " we didnt say you were being fired" but they did not say i wasnt. First time being called to hr. This does not feel right to me and i need help.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

That's odd, because in my facility, we are allowed to manually bypass the scan and document the medication. As long as its documented I don't see why that is a problem.

It's likely the 2 hour gap between the med administration and charting the med administration that got OP in this mess.

OP: in addition to all the advice given, if a medication doesn't scan, don't let hours go by before you manually enter it. Enter it ASAP, even if you have to halt the rest of the world for 30 seconds while you do it. In addition, follow the procedure your facility has if a medication doesn't scan.

Occasionally, I'll have medications that won't scan (unrecognized or missing barcode/square (QR?) code, damaged wrapper, etc.) or that I don't have time to scan immediately (emergency meds). When I have to manually chart giving these meds, I always include a comment in the entry as to why the medication wasn't able to be scanned.

[JKL33]

Thanks. All of this is really helping me to feel better. Still crying a little though.

My supervisor has been on vaca for the past 5 days. The assistant supervisor was off. It was just HR.

What in the world. There's gotta be a snake in the grass somewhere.

Another thought to keep in the back of your mind - - there have been reports here of various exaggerations of medication administration/documentation situations; this could be as simple as someone thinking you tried to falsify the time you gave the medication. I'd want to make sure they're not actually accusing you of that (falsification of documentation).

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

That is totally ridiculous! There are times when the med won't scan and you have to manually enter it. I'm glad I don't work for your place. In the past they have reviewed are scan percentages and if they were less than 90% we were spoken to. Frankly micromanagement to the nth degree! But now many admin were laid off so I doubt anyone will be checking any of our documentation anymore. lol

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

WOW. A lot of our meds won't scan. I have to put a note in to pharmacy daily to let them know something wouldn't scan. I cannot believe you got suspended for this! I am so sick of the way nurses are treated. Fortunately, I work for a hospital that does believe in teaching instead of automatically saying you're fired or suspended.

[BedsideNurse]

I'd been fired 100x over. If I can't scan something because pharmacy hasn't "put it in yet" and I need to give it, or it just won't scan for some reason, or I've accidentally torn the bar code, I end up clicking the not scanned box. Hardly a shift goes by I don't "not scan" at least one med. Sometimes 2 or 3. Especially fluids. :/ Anyway, that place sounds nut-sy, treating such an exemplary employee that way over such a small infraction. :/

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I have to put my 2 cents worth in again. When I read some of the nutty things employers/managers do, I wonder why on earth anybody would want to be a nurse. I wonder why pharmacy doesn't ever get in trouble over some of these medication issues, such as meds that won't scan. With everything, its ALWAYS THE NURSE. I have never heard of a pharmacist getting suspended.

[osceteacher]

Seems mental mate, I'd look to go ASAP, that place is putting your head on a spike for sure.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

We have to have a 95% scan rate but we're allowed 5% wiggle room for technical difficulty and emergencies. That's really a crazy thing to be suspended for. I'd be looking for another job. It sounds like they might be out for you.

[Guest219794]

It appears you got fired for adhering to the 5 rights. The other choice would have been to delay the medication because of a mechanical malfunction.

This is so utterly trivial that I wonder if it is the real reason for losing your job.

Typically, if a nurse in good standing makes a medication error, steps are taken to correct the problem. This was, in no way, a medication error.

Is it possible that you were fired for another reason, and this is a convenient excuse?

If so, they are lying morons.

If, in fact it is the only reason, they are just morons.

Count your self lucky to be rid of these morons, and good luck on your next job.

Also, just a thought. See if you can get, in writing, the rationale for the firing. Personally, I would bring a copy of a recent eval showing your value as an employee, and a copy of that document to your next interview.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

We have to have a 95% scan rate but we're allowed 5% wiggle room for technical difficulty and emergencies.

It was written into our goals upon which our yearly evaluation was written that a nurse was to have XX% (90, 95, I forget the exact number) of meds scanned. I would pretty much always scan, but this did allow me to chart of a med now and then if it would not scan.

A common issue was with IV ABX. The pharmacy would put a sticker on it that included bar code, in addition to pt name, drug, dose, etc. Sometimes there was a little wrinkle in label on the bar code part that prevented it from scanning correctly. In this case, I did not have an issue with signing if off without scanning. Besides, who knows when pharmacy would be able to send me another dose. That last statement is not a criticism of anyone in the pharmacy--I just think they were over worked and/or short staffed.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

If I'm understanding your post correctly you are not fired, just suspended. Make absolutely sure you do not sign any papers they try to give you. Also, continue pushing for written policy on what you did wrong. I'm betting there is none. As you can see, all of us believe this is crazy. If you are fired over this you might want to talk to a lawyer. One familiar with nursing issues.

I have been unable to scan meds on many occasions and employ many of the solutions mentioned by the other posters. I have never in 15 years of nursing been spoken to about this issue.

I think you have an HR person gone wild. Any way, start looking for a new job and leave as soon as you can. If it turns out this was a big mistake on their part send a nice, kind letter to hospital CEO, DON and unit director t let them know what happened and why you left your position. Of course, do not send until you have a new job.

Also, never say or write a bad word about this hospital or what they did to you as these can come back to bite you in the buttocks. Of course, you can talk to close family and friends about it all you want. Gotta vent sometimes.

[Neats, BSN]

I would ask HR to put in writing why I am being reprimanded. Then I would go to a very good attorney. This does not seem right to me. Get everything in writing.