Help I made a huge med error!!

Nurses Medications

Updated:   Published

I removed a narcotic from the narcotic box and went to administer the medication and got distracted by another patient and left the medicine sitting there. I signed the medication out and signed I administered it when I didn't. Is this criminal? Anyway they have started a full blown investigation into it because of some other medications missing which I had no proof of doing. They have camera footage as there evidence. Only proof I have is that I passed urine drug test. What is the worst they can do to me? Like I said is this criminal or could I be prosecuted for it.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

It could definitely cause issues for you with your employer or your board of nursing. I don't know where in the world you are or what the laws are there, but it might not be a bad idea to seek legal advice from someone who specializes in BON issues.

A negative drug test is good, but people divert narcotics to sell or give to others, as well.

I do hope you come out of this in the clear.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

You may find some help through the American Association of Nurse Attorneys:

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) – The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) is a non-profit organization made up of attorneys, students, and others interested in legal issues as they relate to the health care industry.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

So you signed out a controlled substance, something happened with another patient, which happens, and you left the narc there. But then what happened to the narc? Did it disappear? Did they have video of where it floated off to? Where did it go? Did you eventually administer it or was it gone forever?

I don't know if it's criminal, but it could get you fired. Plus, if they've been having issues with narcs disapearing, they've just "found" their culprit. You documented a medication that you didn't give, I think? And that medication was a narcotic. If not for messing up the narc, then I think they could fire you for messing up the Right Documentation and for not controlling the said controlled substance.

If you don't get fired, I hope your take away is that you gotta be extra careful with narcotic administration. Health care companies have zero tolerance for narcotic mistakes. Never leave medication sitting around, especially narcs.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where did the narcotic go that you got out but did not administer? You said that you signed that you gave it but didn't ....You could have errored out the dose that you said you administered but didn't and return the narcotic to the narcotic box....If something happened to the narcotic there should have been a waste form filled out as to what happened to the drug....

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's just it the narcotic never turned up. At the time they was already investigating a separate narcotic situation where the count was off and 1 pill turned up missing. Total desperate from what I did. But, now they are looking at me like I've done all this which I haven't wasn't even there the night the other situation happened. Spoke with a detective that was basically just trying to get me to admit to something I did not do. Says they can charge me with intent. But intent of what? Honestly, I think he was just trying to get me to admit to something. Has me really worried because I honestly made a mistake and btw I've already been terminated. The termination sucks but isn't what's worrying me. Since I've been gone they have had other narcotic issues I might add.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

It shows on camera me taking it out of the box and walking to a room with it and coming out with nothing. The thing they are trying to say though is the room I went in there was nothing to be administered at that time which is correct. I stopped at that room because I was distracted by a patient and was tending to them. I know I left that medication sitting in there by accident. Like I said it was a very hectic night I got side tracked and just completely forgot. This detective I spoke to I feel like was just trying to intimidate me into admitting something. I told him what I felt happened and he said he had enough alone with just the footage to charge me with intent. But that's crazy intent of what? That's all that's on the camera doesn't even show anybody else around so it's not like they could even say I tried to give it to someone else. And I didn't take it myself, I have a drug test to prove that.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lawyer up and shut up!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, you should probably get a lawyer. What was your jobs reason for firing you? Have you been charged?

You lost the narc, didn't report that you lost it, and charted that you gave it to the patient. Hopefully you're enlightened now that if you had just been honest about losing the narc and didn't chart that you gave it you wouldn't be in this pickle. Haven't you ever seen a movie where one lie leads to another? Have we learned nothing from Hollywood?

I think they made the right decision in firing you, just maybe the wrong reason.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did tell them I thought I left it in the room after the fact. That's all I could have done. I would never take anything.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment