Scary Career Wrecker?

Nurses General Nursing

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As I was happily driving down the highway, to start enjoying my shopping day, my cell phone rang, and it was the office.

The weekend nurse asked me if I called in a narcotic painkiller, #150 with 1 refill for a patient. Of COURSE not!

I don't know how it is in other states, but in Florida, you can leave a refill order on the pharmacy voicemail. I quit doing this about 9 months ago because there's always a mixup, or they miss the order. These days I always ask to speak directly to the Pharmacist.

Apparently, someone identified themselves as me, from the office of the doctor I work for, and called in this ridiculous order!

My mind is racing. :confused:

The most likely circumstance is that since this patient knew my name, he got a female cohort to make the call, thinking all the pieces fit together (after all, there is a Sara at Dr. B's office) - except for the sheer number of pills.

However, as I write this, I'm watching my driveway for a police cruiser to show up and begin to investigate if I am a personal friend of this guy, and we have some kind of black market drug ring going on!

Has anyone else faced this?

Specializes in LTC, AC, ER, Outpatient, Urgent Care.

Thanks all... I will try to stop worrying, and I really can't do anything or know anything until Monday.

Lovebug - I am the MA in this case. I suppose my biggest fear is that my lack of a license makes me all the more disposable. I am sorry you had to go through this too, with the added insult of a dishonest assistant.

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my heavens, what states do you all work in? around here you CANT call in an order for a schedule 2 drug! have to present the HARD copy....and NO refills...a new script EVERY TIME. short of that what about a fax machine?

and, no insults intende, but i dont think it falls in the practice of an MA to be calling in meds anyway....this has been covered on other threads here.....

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

Officegirl,

I am sorry this happened to you and even though you did nothing wrong and everyone knows it, I know it is scary. Please do not worry. Monday will come and everything will be okay. If it isn't I will go to your office and talk to them.:chuckle

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.
my heavens, what states do you all work in? around here you CANT call in an order for a schedule 2 drug! have to present the HARD copy....and NO refills...a new script EVERY TIME. short of that what about a fax machine?

and, no insults intende, but i dont think it falls in the practice of an MA to be calling in meds anyway....this has been covered on other threads here.....

I was thinking the same thing. No call in's for narcotics here!!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I would be very surprised if you got into trouble over this. Your pharmacist probably deals with situations like this every day.

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Specializes in LTC, AC, ER, Outpatient, Urgent Care.
my heavens, what states do you all work in? around here you CANT call in an order for a schedule 2 drug! have to present the HARD copy....and NO refills...a new script EVERY TIME. short of that what about a fax machine?

and, no insults intende, but i dont think it falls in the practice of an MA to be calling in meds anyway....this has been covered on other threads here.....

Good Point, Morte! In my freaking out moment, I completely forgot this point. As far as duties go, it is an MA duty in FL. I can see why it would be a questioned practice though.

Officegirl,

I am sorry this happened to you and even though you did nothing wrong and everyone knows it, I know it is scary. Please do not worry. Monday will come and everything will be okay. If it isn't I will go to your office and talk to them.:chuckle

Lovebug, and everyone - everything is FINE! I met with the doctor first thing this AM, and he told me that this has actually been a problem in the past. One patient actually called in as the doctor himself!

I realize I over-reacted, but it was a scary weekend. I've only heard of these things happening, and since it's never happened to anyone else I've worked with... well... you know...

Anyway, thank you to everyone - you did put my mind at ease a bit so I could at least enjoy Sunday. :nuke:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

That story just scared the crud out of me. And I'm not new at this. It can happen anytime. So very, very scary.:eek:

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Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

only way to get narcs in my state is with a written script and id.

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my heavens, what states do you all work in? around here you CANT call in an order for a schedule 2 drug! have to present the HARD copy....and NO refills...a new script EVERY TIME. short of that what about a fax machine?

and, no insults intende, but i dont think it falls in the practice of an MA to be calling in meds anyway....this has been covered on other threads here.....

Same thing here . . . I can't leave a voice message or even call these drugs in . . . .it has to be a real prescription that the patient carries to the pharmacy or I have to fax the doc's order.

I agree with your second point too.

steph

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Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.
As I was happily driving down the highway, to start enjoying my shopping day, my cell phone rang, and it was the office.

The weekend nurse asked me if I called in a narcotic painkiller, #150 with 1 refill for a patient. Of COURSE not!

I don't know how it is in other states, but in Florida, you can leave a refill order on the pharmacy voicemail. I quit doing this about 9 months ago because there's always a mixup, or they miss the order. These days I always ask to speak directly to the Pharmacist.

Apparently, someone identified themselves as me, from the office of the doctor I work for, and called in this ridiculous order!

My mind is racing. :confused:

The most likely circumstance is that since this patient knew my name, he got a female cohort to make the call, thinking all the pieces fit together (after all, there is a Sara at Dr. B's office) - except for the sheer number of pills.

However, as I write this, I'm watching my driveway for a police cruiser to show up and begin to investigate if I am a personal friend of this guy, and we have some kind of black market drug ring going on!

Has anyone else faced this?

No!

I am always very careful when it comes to control substances!!!

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