Huge IV med error!

[MommaNurse08]

I am terrified that I may have caused harm to a patient, but not know it. Some how I managed to give a patient IV BENTYL! I know how huge a mistake that is, and I have been upset, crying and going to pieces every since it happened. Some how in my head, I got Bently and Benadryl combined as one (dont know how), and diluted it, and give it. My patient got very light headed, I immediatly realized what I done. It passed within minutes, and the patient seemed to be ok. I told the doctor, and he didnt seem too concerned. He said that if the patient was ok after 20 minutes, it should be ok. The patient seemed to be ok, but how can I know if further damage will be done? Is it possible that something horrible will happen to this patient? I have been so worried sick over this. Can anyone elaborate on this? I have searched and searched for information on this and other than seeing it should not be given IV, and "may cause thrombosis" I cannot find out if it would be instant, or a week later or what. I am terrified for the patient. I just want to know if the patient is safe "now".

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I was seconds away from flushing a hep-lock with KCl because at the time, it was stored next to the NaCl in the med room

:smackingf That's how positive changes are made! That's scary, though...

[Babs0512]

Our hospital's policy is not to tell the patient or family of the med error, unless there was harm to the patient. But all errors are investigated and reported internally.

Mommanurse08, you need to cut yourself some slack. Did you learn from the error? Will you likely make this same error again? Probably not. This error will actually make you a better nurse! You will be more careful next time, more aware.

One more question, are you a human being? Yes, well then, you have made many mistakes in your life so far right? Nurses are human, as are doctors, lawyers, etc... all make mistakes - don't sweat the small stuff. Learn and move on.

God Bless

[Quaffetti]

The question of whether to tell the patient is a good one. Our hospital discloses every mistake no matter how minor, which I can understand, but at the same time, I wonder if that just makes the patients more insecure about their care.

It's a difficult decision. Although you pretty much have to go with your hospital policy so there's not much decision to be made. I just wonder what effect disclosure has on pt confidence.

[mandirama]

I hope this can set your mind at ease. I was given Bentyl mistakenly through an iv a few months ago. I felt a little dizzy and did vomit when I stood up. However, after an hour I felt completely normal again. I hope this helps you.

[Merced]

I agree with the hospital policy of not telling the patient, esp in this case, when nothing happened. Worry is a killer. Patients are so vulnerable when they are in the hospital, or sick at home.

I have seen doctors we nurses called "Dr Hack & Chop" (for obvious reasons), & when their patients had complete faith in them, they did just fine, post-op.

Faith is a gift, even in this setting, IMVHO.

[Merced]

Oh, one more thing, I hope not too off-topic, but a reminder of how resilient we really are (when we don't worry

Funny, completely true story:

When I was a teenager, a meter maid noted that my car's gasoline tank was overflowing (hot weather had expanded it). Pro-active person that she was, she knocked on my door, & told me of the danger that my car could blow up, or something like that. This woman actually told me to cut up a garden hose & bucket, & taught me how to siphon some gas out.

She seemed to think that having an open bucket of gasoline in my back yard, was acceptable, & that my mom would not care about the ruined garden hose.

The point is, I was young & dumb, & did not know what to expect when I started sucking on that hose, with the other end in the gas tank, & got a tummy full of gasoline :eek:

Yes, my mom came home & got that lady fired.

But I just burped a bit of gas, & have been healthy as a horse all my long life - the only thing that seems to get to me is STRESS!!