Insulin Med Error

bookwormom · Apr 19, 2011

Everyone makes mistakes. And every mistake is a learning experience. The important thing is that your patient wasn't given the wrong dose. This does highlight the importance of double checking. In this case, your instructor appears to be the one doing the check, and she caught the error.

noahsmama · Apr 19, 2011

You're exactly right that this is why we do double checks on high risk meds. I wouldn't even label either of these events as "med errors", I'd label them "near misses". The error was corrected before the med got to the patient, which is exactly what is supposed to happen. And I assume you'll be more careful now about making sure you have the right insulin in the right syringe. Learning from your mistakes is what nursing school is all about, so as long as you learn from this (and I'm sure you will) you're fine.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Apr 19, 2011

You are NOT an idiot. It happens to the best of us. Last week I drew up Novolog 70/30 instead of Lantus. Thank God I caught if before giving it. It happens to the best of us. Just practice the 5 rights faithfully and continue to be conscienous as you are. Good luck and don't beat yourself up about it.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Apr 19, 2011

No, you are not a complete idiot, you are a student nurse who is still learning. Your instructor is there to make sure mistakes like this don't happen. That said, you need to always remember the 6 rights of med administration....right patient, med, route, dose, time and documentation. Insullin errors can have devistating consequences for patients. That is why a lot of facilities requires 2 nurses to check the med/amt before administering it. Your near miss was caught before any thing bad could happen, cut yourself a little slack. You sound like a conscientious student who will make a wonderful nurse. I wish you well :nurse:

Seas · Apr 19, 2011

That's why there is 5(6,7) rights of med administration. You just need to be more careful. always check your drug name and dosage multiple times before administering.

ooomonkeys · Apr 19, 2011

You are only an idiot if you don't learn from your mistakes. Just make sure to always do your 3 checks!

CompleteUnknown · Apr 19, 2011

I am in my last semester of nursing school at clinical yesterday I went to give a patient insulin and accidentally drew up Humalog instead of Humulin R my instructor questioned it and then I realized my mistake. I just feel like an idiot now. I had one other insulin related error my second semester of school I drew up the insulin in the wrong syringe ( a TB syringe). I just feel defeated now and am questioning if I have what it takes to be a safe RN. I work in the ED and have a job there once I graduate. I really do not want to make errors such as these as a new RN or put any patient's safety in harm. I accept full responsibility for my actions and realize medication errors happen and that is why we always double check high risk meds such as insulin. Am I complete idiot or did I just make a simple mistake.. any advice?

Agree that the first incident you describe is a near miss that would have led to an error if you were allowed to continue - but it was caught and no doubt you'll check more carefully from now on. We all have near misses now and then, it gives you a fright but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to be reminded how easy it is to make a mistake.

Why is it an error to use a tuberculin syringe to give insulin?

nneokill175 · Apr 19, 2011

Agree that the first incident you describe is a near miss that would have led to an error if you were allowed to continue - but it was caught and no doubt you'll check more carefully from now on. We all have near misses now and then, it gives you a fright but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to be reminded how easy it is to make a mistake.
Why is it an error to use a tuberculin syringe to give insulin?

you give insulin in units.

i believe tb syringe a ml measurements and maybe too big

correct me if im wrong.

i know theres a specific insulin syringe i always use in hospitals

CompleteUnknown · Apr 19, 2011

you give insulin in units.
i believe tb syringe a ml measurements and maybe too big
correct me if im wrong.
i know theres a specific insulin syringe i always use in hospitals

There are specific insulin syringes that measure in units, but they're just one ml syringes with the divisions marked in units rather than in mls. All insulin these days comes in 100 units/ml so 10 units, for example, is 0.1 ml. We also have 50 unit insulin syringes where I work, but these are just half ml syringes with the divisions marked in units. I dare say it's probably easier to use an insulin syringe if they're available, but I don't see how it's wrong to use a tuberculin syringe.