How much trouble am I in?

LightMyFire · Dec 6, 2015

I would have removed it and promptly started another one. And documented all of it as I would not want to be responsible for any negative consequences. Of course, I wouldn't have left a patient in need of IV pain meds with no access for 6 hours. I'm curious why the chain of command was not utilized? The charge nurse should have at least been called.

Susie2310 · Dec 6, 2015

If I had a concern about a family member's nursing care that I could not resolve in a timely manner with their nurse, I would ask for the Charge Nurse. I have also seen a Rapid Response number posted that patients/family can call if they are concerned about the patient's condition, or have other concerns about care given.

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 6, 2015

My husband has been a frequent flyer in our facility. I've been there 8 years and float a lot so my face is familiar to about everybody. Issue is this during his last hospitalization, both of his IVs infiltrated. He was getting IV fluids and IV Dialudid. I pointed the infiltration out at 1800. At 1930 when the nurses rounded for report I pointed it out again and said I'm turning this off. "Oh okay" At 2030 I asked again for a restart. 2100 the student and preceptor came student tried once unsuccessfully. I asked if the preceptor would try, " no I want her to." I asked can I do this? Oh we don't know the policy on that.. 2130 "we're getting the veinFinder" 2200 "oh I forgot. Just a minute" 2230 I have to ask again. 2315 I ask if I can start it he's in a lot of pain. No we're coming right now. 2400 i started his PIV. Not saying it was my best decision, on no sleep and with no apparent nursing care for my husband it was done. Six hours of having no access pain 8/10 and they have access. Nobody saw me do it. However I'm called at home that I'm being investigated as a safety risk. The joke is it was still in an being used for the IV pain meds! I wasn't on the clock and my husband asked me to do it. How much trouble am I in?

I would think quite a lot of trouble. You started an IV without an order. It's even worse because you weren't on the clock and couldn't possibly have been under MD order.

There's no joke here. Just trouble.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 6, 2015

Take the marriage status out of the equation. How much trouble would you be in if you walked in, not on the clock, and started an IV on your next door neighbor? Or a complete stranger?

I think you're in a lot of trouble, sad to say.

Farawyn · Dec 6, 2015

Not smart. There were many other ways to handle this. You chose the wrong way.

nynursey_ · Dec 7, 2015

I'm sure you understand just how poorly you handled the situation. And in some ways, I believe you knew this might be the outcome.

Might be prepared to be fired at the least.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

A few years ago my grandma's IV infiltrated when she wad in the hospital. I stopped the pump and called the nurse. I didn't even attempt to try to restart. Pain wasn't her issue, she was getting a colonoscopy prep. The nurse removed her IV and called the IV team. 4 hours later they never showed. Pre op had to start her new IV. I would never attempt even if my husband asked me to if I wasn't on the clock. You should've asked for the charge nurse or nursing supervisor.

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

The husband did not have IV access, receive IVF or dilaudid for six hours.

The wife/float pool nurse placed one in order for him to receive basic medical care because the hospital nurses are not competent in this very basic skill.

The husband/patient should file a formal complaint about the inadequate care and let it be known that if his wife is the target of a witchhunt she won't go down alone.

Farawyn · Dec 7, 2015

The husband did not have IV access, receive IVF or dilaudid for six hours.
The wife/float pool nurse placed one in order for him to receive basic medical care because the hospital nurses are not competent in this very basic skill.
The husband/patient should file a formal complaint about the inadequate care and let it be known that if his wife is the target of a witchhunt she won't go down alone.

Oh, yea, Dilaudid, too. Forgot about that.

Yea, this is not good.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I don't know what to think, really. I go back and forth from leniency to progressive discipline. But, for progressive discipline, I keep thinking, "On what grounds? She was a patient's family member, not an employee at that time!"

So, isn't the question really: If the OP was a nurse, but not at that particular hospital, what would administration do in this situation? Probably nothing, and the patient advocate would come around with a token of apology for the substandard nursing care.

mago8388 · Dec 7, 2015

Not the started decision and you probably looked snarky to them. You were not his nurse and let alone you were off the clock. You should have gone to the nurse manager or his Doctor if available and complain to them just like a regular patient to would do because at that time you were that, just a patient's family member. I hope you don't lose your job over this, you have a lot of explaining to do.