Got in trouble inserted 16f instead of 18 f

You got "reported to the state" for failing to notify the doc that you replaced a 18 foley with a 16? Surely you are omiting some vital piece of information

This makes no sense. What state to do you live in and exactly who were you reported to? What agency? What was their response?

There is way more to this story.

I actually did this myself. My DON pulled me aside and just highlighted what I missed and that I needed to be more prudent in double checking the ordered sized, which I totally agree with it but that was the end. I don't see how this would be reportable...

If an 18 French foley got clogged, then common sense tells me that a larger size would be in order. Throughout my practice, that's often been left to nursing judgment, with a 16 being the standard size that comes in the kits.

I highly doubt a board of nursing would take much interest in this case...

If an 18 French foley got clogged, then common sense tells me that a larger size would be in order. Throughout my practice, that's often been left to nursing judgment, with a 16 being the standard size that comes in the kits.

I highly doubt a board of nursing would take much interest in this case...

A 16 French urinary catheter is actually smaller than an 18- it's the opposite of needle gauge.

A 16 French urinary catheter is actually smaller than an 18- it's the opposite of needle gauge.

I stand corrected! Totally reversed that in my mind!

I stand corrected! Totally reversed that in my mind!

I don't know why the medical field can't be consistent with their sizing. It makes it so easy to mix stuff up- I always have to pause and think about it to myself quickly to make sure I have it correct.

What practice setting did this occur in, OP?

There's a lot of this story missing. I don't know why anyone would care if you went down a catheter size as long as the catheter was functioning properly.

There is something, possibly a lot of things, missing from this story.

Our standard kits have 16s in them. That said, we're given a good deal of wiggle room for clinical judgement. I take care of people of all ages (preemies to the elderly). I don't need an order to tell me the preemie, or even most peds patients, doesn't need a 16 fr foley.

Generally though it makes sense to replace what was already there with the same thing. However, where I work, the floors do not have ever size under the sun and have to obtain sizes other than what's in the kits (we have an array of every size and type known to man but that makes sense in the OR). Worst case scenario, in my practice, would have been being told to be more careful making sure I matched orders or what was already in place, and maybe having to change it out for the correct size if there was a specific reasoning...

Was this a patient with a urethral condition where the catheter was stenting it open and was only supposed to be inserted or removed by a urologist?