How much trouble am I in?

annie.rn · Dec 7, 2015

How did you get the supplies to start the iv? They might look into that as a factor also...

My guess is that they were left at the bedside. We do that all the time as a courtesy for the person who is going to make the next attempt.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 7, 2015

Oh, yea, Dilaudid, too. Forgot about that.
Yea, this is not good.

The dilaudid could have been given through other routes.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

Yep. Just because someone CAN doesn't mean they SHOULD.

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.

Jolie, BSN · 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.

This!

I would make very clear to Big Hospital that you will mount an equal and opposite reaction. If they agree in writing to let this go, so will you. If they decide to throw the book at you, you will contact any and everyone within the sound of your voice and the reach of your pen, starting with friends and neighbors and expanding to licensing, regulatory and accrediting agencies, as well as your insurer, who will welcome information regarding charges for care not rendered by the hospital staff.

Best wishes to you from a fellow nurse who has no tolerance for lousy care, excuses or other B.S.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I suspect there's more to this story, as there usually is.

I'd fire the OP in a heartbeat if I were the boss. If I were the OP, I'd expect to be fired.

There were so many other avenues that could have been utilized. I have 80 year olds that know enough to call the ER or the nurses' station dozens of times, until they get what they want.

I get that the OP was in a bad place. Husband nagging, no sleep, no response from his nurses, not wanting to rock the boat where you work... I get it. I've made equally dumb decisions.

There are always consequences.

As an aside, my name and the reason I came to AN was a question like the OPs.

I got fired as I expected to. But I also was reported to the BON. I hope that doesn't happen to the OP.

CBlover, 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. /QUOTE]
I didn't see anywhere in her post that she administered medication? Where are you getting that?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 7, 2015

Well, for one you messed with some form of controlled substance whether it was on a pump or a locked box. /QUOTE]
I didn't see anywhere in her post that she administered medication? Where are you getting that?
She stopped the infiltrated IV that had been running; it contained Dilaudid.

CBlover, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

She stopped the infiltrated IV that had been running; it contained Dilaudid.

How do you know it "contained" IV Dilaudid? She doesn't say it was a PCA? From what I gather it was IV push but even that's an assumption. To me, saying she administered a controlled substance is reading a lot into the story. What am I missing?

CBlover, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I will add I do not think she should have started the IV. I'd be scared if I were the OP. OP...please give us an update.

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

She stopped the infiltrated IV that had been running; it contained
Dilaudid.
She did not say it was a PCA. Between 1800 and 1930 residual IV dilaudid would have infiltrated or run into the bed.
The nurse/wife has said she was exhausted and that it was not her
best decision.
Some jerk wrote an occurence
report and they have to investigate.
If they are reasonable in this meeting, just state the facts and say it wont happen again.

Spurse32 · Dec 7, 2015

From what I understand from the OP, you're not any trouble at all...yet. Being investigated is not the same as being disciplined. See what they have to say first before you panic. If it makes you feel better to reach out to lawyers or malpractise people, do it.

If they come at you, listen to your lawyer. I like what some other posters said about playing hardball though. It might pay off.

What you did was not malicious so I hope that the hospital understands that. Best of luck to you, I hope you pull through this. Either way, everything happens the it's supposed to and it works out in the end.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

OP: I understand that you wanted to help alleviate your husband's suffering due to delays in his care. However, the fact is that at the time, you were not there as a nurse on duty caring for a patient, but were there as a family member of a patient. What you did could have potentially been a big liability for the hospital. And it is a potential liability for you and your husband as well, because if something went (goes) wrong with his care and you take legal action against the hospital, a savvy lawyer would point out your actions and suggest that perhaps things went wrong because you practiced out of your scope.

I know that sometimes that can be hard for nurses--including myself--to transition to the role of observing family member. But neither being his wife nor being an off-duty employee gave you the green light to restart an IV on your own.

I hope your husband feels better, and I hope things work out for the best for you.