How much trouble am I in?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 7, 2015

There is a lot to this...

Your husband is a "frequent flyer" so apparently his pain is not being controlled. Which sets you both up in your marriage for nothing nice. YOU may need some support on how to emotionally deal with his issues. I am not sure that he just sort of sat there whilst you rang bell, advocated on his behalf--I am sure he was less than nice about it. So you reacted to that--as many would in your shoes.

Take the labelling out of the equation. Your husband was there for treatment of an acute condition, that was not treated. Even if the IV was not patent and could not be restarted, then alternates should have began until such time as an IV could be started. Six hours and PO something would have been on dose #2.

Yes, the chain of command should have been followed. It was not. Realistically, 6 HOURS of listening to anyone cry in pain is about 5 1/2 hours too many. Gut instinct? Rash decision? Perhaps. Legal? Well, you started the IV, you did not then run to the Pyxsis and pull out dilaudid and dose him, did you? This is a malpractice insurance question.

The most compelling part of all of this is the claim that the IV is still in and/or you what brought supplies home to continue IV pain medication at home? Seriously? So one would assume that no nurse documented that the IV was d/c'ed at discharge? That is the unclear part--AND the part that you should be the most mindful of. So in other words, they are gossiping that you are diverting in which to medicate your husband at home. Which in turn the powers that be want to discuss with you based on this. This is tragic as the focus has now shifted to what you are up to as opposed to what actually occurred, and the events leading up to this.

This is a cover your butt lets blame the wife/nurse move. Let's not talk about inadequate care, lets talk about the wife's actions and subsequent practice.

I would tread carefully, and get your malpractice insurance's advice. I would say nothing until you do so. Get your union (if you are union)rep in the loop. And you need to be clear and separate the fact that after 6 hours you started the IV itself, but at no time did you have access to nor got access to IV pain medication that you then dosed your husband with.

I would go to the parent website of your facility and lodge a complaint. I would lodge a complaint with the DON. There is absolutely no excuse for not being treated with anything for as long as your husband was. And that should be the focus.

AND I am just gonna throw it out there--IF your husband is manipulating you into doing things that would put you and your livelihood at risk, you need to address this with outside assistance. There are many of us that at one time or another have been to that place, near that place. I am not suggesting that this is even remotely factual, just that if it has a shred of truth to it, be mindful of YOU.

Best wishes to you going forward.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

Six hours of having no access pain 8/10 and they have access. Nobody saw me do it.

Next time, your best bet is to speak to the house supervisor or night charge nurse if you feel the care being rendered to your loved one has fallen below a certain standard of acceptability.

However, a nurse who performs invasive skills on her day off while not on the clock is a major liability issue for the hospital. It doesn't matter if the patient for whom you performed the invasive skill is your spouse.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I know how difficult it is to see a loved one writhe in pain when you feel you can take action.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

If it were me I would play hardball. The amount of trouble I am in will be equal to the amount of trouble the facility will be in for negligence. I would make that clear if they try to play tough. In a nutshell, you come after me, the husband sues. Even a suit that is not successful is more trouble than it is worth. Have a nice day.

SubSippi · Dec 7, 2015

You could always just deny that you did it

betterinthesun · Dec 7, 2015

I'm sorry, this is a really unfortunate situation. If you don't mind, please keep us updated with what happens.

Also, if your husband is hospitalized a lot and a hard stick, has he considered getting an implanted port? I know its not possible for everyone but it might be good to look into.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

Well, for one you messed with some form of controlled substance whether it was on a pump or a locked box. I thought all hospitals had to have a rapid assistance number to call if you feel like your loved one is not getting the care you think they need. I would never offer to start an IV off the clock. I remember looking at my friend's IV and knowing it wasn't going to last through his entire stay but I didn't restart it. Sure enough, the next day it was burning and they had to get someone to start the IV.

Although saying you work there goes a long way.

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I was off the clock in the preoperative area with my relative at midnight and the OR nurse couldn't get the IV.

I did it and I would do it again if there was no other option

The only "safety issue" is that they let her husband suffer with an infiltrated iv and let

him go for six hours with no access.

She should also say that those two nurses are not to care for her hsband in the future.

When management hears the wife/nurse's side of the story they will drop the matter.

Biosphere · Dec 7, 2015

They will find some other reason to terminate you. You will not win this fight. I just don't think it will end well. I have seen the results play out too many times.

kdkout, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

We are all guessing. None of us really knows for sure what the hospital will do....but if you have malpractice insurance I would've called them by now. I would expect to be fired and hope that I wasnt reported to the board.

Do we all understand why you did it? YES! But you shouldn't have, and you know it. Expect to be asked why you didnt go up the chain of command instead. After all, you work there, you are experienced - you know how to.

(I think you didnt because you know you could get the IV in & were tired of waiting, but again, that was a really bad decision). You need legal advice, pronto.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I am with Conqueror+ on this. Play hardball from the get go. You wouldn't have been placed in this position if the staff that was on the clock did their jobs in the first place. Threaten to sue if needed, but be prepared to follow through and be prepared to at the least lose your job in the process. I hope the outcome of this situation is positive for you. Good luck!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 7, 2015

Now what happens when that site becomes infected.....

SassyTachyRN · Dec 7, 2015

All the supply rooms in my hospital have key code locks, and they all have the same code. I could also get into any Pyxis in my hospital with my login. She works at this hospital for almost a decade. Of course she can get supplies.

I'm well aware of the fact that you can get into a supply room with your badge or code. (FWIW, our Pyxis would not let you in if you weren't clocked in). However, point is, if you're off the clock, you should not be ACCESSING hospital supplies.