Had My First Med Error Tonight :(

Misty1 · Aug 7, 2006

Gave a Lortab 7.5 instead of a Lortab 10. I know it wasn't the worst med error in the world, but I had to report it because the narcotic count was off.
What can I expect in the morning from my supervisors? Will I be disciplined by the Board of Nursing?

They will probably say..."Thanks for reporting that"....I have seen much worse med errors and nothing was done. You reported it and no one was harmed.

Always fess up to your mistakes no matter how big or small and learn from them. I could tell you some stories of errors very good nurses have made. Thank goodness no one was hurt. I gave a double dose of Lasix once...long story change of shift the Dr came up to me told me to give Lasix to pt as I'm finishing up giving the Lasix another nurse comes running in...."I already gave that Lasix". Reported it thank goodness nothing happened.

There was a thread at one time on errors people have made. I think its good to talk about it because other people can learn from it.

I like your dog. A pit?

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 7, 2006

I've never heard of this sort of error resulting in being reported to the BON. As long as you didn't try to hide or cover anything up.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

Gave a Lortab 7.5 instead of a Lortab 10. I know it wasn't the worst med error in the world, but I had to report it because the narcotic count was off.
What can I expect in the morning from my supervisors? Will I be disciplined by the Board of Nursing?

if you took the 10 out, the count will be down by 1 and the 7.5 count should be 1 up. this should show that *you* didn't 'take' anything, you just pulled the wrong one out to give to the pt.

begalli · Aug 7, 2006

Actually I think that what happened made the 7.5 count short by one and the 10 count over by one.

This will clearly show the mix-up.

Not a big deal.

begalli · Aug 7, 2006

Does Lortab even come in 10?

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

AKA Lorcet 10

Cardiac-RN · Aug 7, 2006

you may get some 'coaching' and it will probably be reported to risk management (they try and use the errors to decrease the possibility of future errors by addressing issues such as: were the meds of different strengths labelled clearly enough, are there too many strengths of a certain medication kept in close proximity, etc).

on the whole though I would expect your supervisors to say that we are all human and err, luckily no one was harmed, and be more cautious in the future about pulling meds and checking to make sure they are correct against the MAR/ pt identifier.

try not to stress about it too much, use it as a live and learn thing : )

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Aug 7, 2006

IF the BONs had to deal w/ every such error, they'd sure have to hire bunches more staff.

The count will show that it's not a diversion error.

And, in TX at least, 'minor' issues are pointedly handled at the local level.

IN fact, most places have a policy of relative 'penalty' free error reporting. Otherwise, how else could they get nurses to self-report?

If a minor med error (and getting slightly less of the SAME PRN med IS a minor error) caused nurses to be in license trouble, there wouldn't BE any nurses.

~faith,

Timothy.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

You live and learn. That's the important thing, is that you learned something.

As Timothy said, this is not a reportable error. The BON's get involved in sentinal events, not every error.

Sorry this happened.

Meerkat · Aug 7, 2006

Thank you so much for the support and info. You all are wonderful, and made me feel better!

To the first poster, Yes he is a pit, but he's not mine...he was tied to a tree at the hospital parking lot when I went into work, and 10 hours later when I left he was still there...no food/water/shelter from the sun. I took him home and found him a new home (I couldn't keep him because I already have a big dog).

PANurseRN1 · Aug 7, 2006

Thank you so much for the support and info. You all are wonderful, and made me feel better!
To the first poster, Yes he is a pit, but he's not mine...he was tied to a tree at the hospital parking lot when I went into work, and 10 hours later when I left he was still there...no food/water/shelter from the sun. I took him home and found him a new home (I couldn't keep him because I already have a big dog).

Good for you! Poor pupper dog!