job is getting to me today

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hello,

I am a relatively new nurse with a little over a year in the ER. I had a suicidal pt. the other day who was coming off of his ETOH elevation as a chronic alcoholic. I gave him 1mg atvian IV and knew he was going to need more, so I kept the remaining 1 mg in the bottle in the room on the counter. So I gave report to the next nurse on my shift and got a verbal order for another 1mg ativan from the doc before I left for the day. Now my other coworker says this morning that "they found ativan in the room" and that "he doesn't know how much of a big deal it's going to be." So... I told the nurse who took over for me that atvian 1mg was on the counter... Logically, if why wouldn't she just give that medication? Additionally, seeing as how 1 mg is something we would continue to give him and he can't kill himself or penetrate the bottle w/out a needle (which was not in the room) and the pt. had a bed alarm and was being watched from the nurse's station, it seems a little overboard to make any more than a verbal warning about it. Anyhow... just venting at the petty **** coworkers bring up.

Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Joe, the only time I've ever seen a vial sit to be used again was when I was a patient in PACU for out patient surgery, and my RN was only assigned to me, she was giving me ivp pain meds while standing in the same spot the entire time....she never once left the meds or my side... until I was ready to get transfered. I hope this incident helps you become a better professional. Hold yourself always to the highest standards. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

You have to remember no one is your friend.2. Always waste with a witness what you do not use.It is a one time use bottle.Those are their rules not ours but you have to do it,make sure you say "I am wasting please watch"this avoids any problems, as dumb as it sounds.Most areas have cameras on with time stamps ,beware.Leaving any med at the bedside even a vitamin is a big NO No.What will happen to u depends on what kind of a **** your nurse manager is, if you are in union then must use union foreman to speak to administration .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, you should def waste with somebody next time. Gotta protect your license at all costs these days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow. I'm quote speechless really! You absolutely should have, without a doubt, wasted that 1mg left! And at the VERY least, not left in the room of a suicidal pt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, OR, Oncology.

I think we are all missing the bigger picture here- the real problem here, is that as emergency nurses, we spend a ridiculous amount of time each day wasting (or witnessing the waste of others) 1 mg of ativan- can we please get 1mg vials? :wacky:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only time I don't waste my narcs immediately is when I am one on one with a patient and I know for a fact I'll be using it.

All patient safety issues aside, you leaving that extra Ativan out for the next nurse put you at risk for being accused of diversion! In the future, you should always make sure that every little bit of something controlled that you pulled from the Pyxis is accounted for by you, not by the word of someone else. Someone else could be stealing that medication but you'd be the one to blame!

With that being said, if one of my coworkers had accidentally left a narc or Ativan or something in the room, I wouldn't tell on them. I would probably call them and let them know so they could come back and deal with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Another thing to think about,...I promise you, you work with someone who will take that vial! That vial is your responsibility,....another thing to think about,...I checked in a frequent flyer who came in via EMS the other day. He still had EKG patches on from other visits, he was AOTB, combative, etc,..wearing paper scrubs, in his coat pocket was a vial of versed, etomidate, succinylcholine and narcan, all with pt stickers from another hospital in town. Now,..the versed and succ vial appeared to be empty,...but you know this guy just grabbed stuff hoping to make a score,....I've seen this before along with assorted supplies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, OR, Oncology.

I bet that shooting up succs to get high is a bit disappointing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER.
I bet that shooting up succs to get high is a bit disappointing.

Yeah,....but I bet he won't do that again :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment