I need advice PLEASE

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I need help....quickly! I've been on an assignment for approximately a month. This particular hospital (NW Arkansas) has let me go today because of a med error of which I reported myself. A physician had prescribed Ativan,,,I transcribed the order and administered the Ativan. I failed to check the chart for an questionable allergy quoted by the patient. There was NO harm to this patient,,,she is fine but the fact remains, I administered the Ativan and am to blame. I don't question that. Problem is, I got a phone call from my recruiter today telling me the hospital had cancelled my contract effective immediately. My travel company is now telling me that I will have to pay a "breach of contract" fee of $1,000.00 citing behavioral issues. Does this qualify for "behavior issues???" Is there ANY way I can get around this fee? They put me on this floor with peds/adults patients of which I told them I have no pediatric experience,,,and was not comfortable with little ones. I did it though. HELP PLS I am living in an apt that is paid to Nov 28th, 2011. Thank you for your help :nurse:

PS - I have NEVER had trouble in my 3 yrs of traveling,,,,always extended,,always

accepted with staff/mgmt - I am devastated : (

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Sorry you are devastated...time to regroup and find a solution.

Are you saying that you are staying in the apartment through November? If so, look for a per diem at another hospital in the area. Not sure if you can get out of the breach of contract fee. Keep your head up and formulate a plan!

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

So very sorry this has happened to you. You mention "questionable Allergy". Can you describe. I am currently having issues with patients with MULTIPLE " Allergies" listed but most being actual "untoward reactions" Antibiotics that "make my stomach hurt". Pain medications that "make me goofy" Anti-anxiety medications that "I don't like how they make me feel" all listed as Allergies. Were antihistamines required or any acute allergic reactions noted ? I read where you said the patient was "fine". So many other questions about situation. Only real advice I can offer is be as calm as you can with all interactions, write everything down and request all information from company and hospital in writing. Good luck,

Rod

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Thank you both for replying : )) No, nothing was required,,,the patient did not exhibit any allergic s/s. I examined the patient with the physician and documented such in my report. I was told from the nurse that admitted this patient that the patient's friend said she acts "goofy" when given Ativan...not qualified for an allergy, but nonetheless it was on her list of allergies. I accept the responsibility for this error,,,,but do not want my license in jeopardy. I just hope I documented enough that it shows I made a full investigation myself as to the status of this patient and I did it WITH the physician when he went in. The physician is actually the one that pointed this out to me - He came in and asked me if I had administered the Ativan, I replied yes. He said, Ativan is on the front of the chart documented as an allergy. He then went into patients room and I went with him. I also informed the nurse that took over care of this patient (it was shift change) of my error. She assured me she would document at least every hour of the status of patient - as would anyone else caring for this patient. Can I ask for all documentation related to this event? Is the hospital required to give that to me?

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You can ask for the documentation but you probably already know what the answer. They arent going to do anything that lets you plead your case..

The $1000 fee sounds fishy though.. Unless its to pay for your housing or recoup some cost or travel $$ or something.

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Specializes in Medical-surgical.

First of all, I'm sorry that happened, I too would be devastated. Second of all, meds are often on pt's allergy lists that aren't true allergies and those meds or meds similar are given to the pt after confirmation between pharmacist, MD, nurse and pt. Is it just me or isn't this true? The other night I had a patient who had codeine on her allergy list but had been receiving Morphine for days without problems. Lastly, I would be sure that this fee is somewhere in writing and maybe you could talk to your clinical liason, this if definitely a clinical error that didn't ONLY involve you, not a behavioral issue. Good luck.

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