Got in trouble inserted 16f instead of 18 f

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my Pt had a 18 f foley that was clogged changed it with a 16 f that I had forgot to notify dr, got reported to the state for using the wrong size I know I was wrong not to notify dr but I was thinking about Pt and forget to come back and change and so it clogged too. Any advise as to what I should do

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

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

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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.

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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...

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Specializes in ER.

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...

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Specializes in Critical care.
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.

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Specializes in ER.
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!

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Specializes in Critical care.
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.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

What practice setting did this occur in, OP?

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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.

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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...

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

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?

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