Med error could cost my job? Need help!

[dmwRNpa]

Hi everyone! I really need to get this off my chest and get some responses back on your opinion of the problem.

I was off work for 3 1/2 months for some personal problems. When I returned to work, I am not allowed to work nights or be mandated. Soo, the hospital I work at said this is a disability. So I had my MD fill out the paper work which included a detailed summary of my problem. I just got back into the swing of things, and now I have a major problem.

I was working evening shift, and it was really busy on my med-surg unit. Patient A asked for a pain pill, and so did patient B. I knew it wasn't time for patient B's pain pill, but I went into the med room to get patient A a pill. I got into Pyxis, our computer system for medication distribution, scrolled down to my patient and selected Vicodin ES. When the drawer opened, I removed one pill, opened it, and placed it in the cup, but the cup tipped and the pill was ont he floor. SInce the drawer was still open, I accidently hit cancel all meds, which cancels my action and makes the machine still think that theres the original number of pills in there. In my case, there were four, I took one but it fell, so now theres three, but since I hit cancel all meds, the machine thought it had four still. My nurses aide came into the room and told me that pt C was climbing out of bed again, and pt D was coughing so hard she was throwing up. I was now in a hurry to go help her out, so i put the dropped pill in my pocket until I could call pharmacy and figure out how to fix the problem in the pyxis machine. I created a discrepancy because I still had to remove a pill and the true number was different from the machines number.

The night just got worse from that point. I spent a good part of my night on the phone, with every ones family members, three different doctors on different patients, attempting to keep my Houdini in bed, etc etc etc you all know how it goes. I totally forgot about that pill!!!

The next day, I go to work, and I get called to HR. I'm instantly placed into a state of panic, what did I do wrong, did I get a serious complaint against me (I had a pt not happy with me the week before), was I being sued, I mean a million things were going thru my mind. I practically ran to the other side of the building to get to HR. When I got there, I was out of breath and scared to death to hear what was going on. When they told me it was over this discrepancy, my mind went totally blank. I didn't remember what I did with the pill, and I didn't have it on my person. Since I didn't know exactly what happened to the pill, and I didn't have it to prove that I didn't take it, They placed me on administrative leave of absence, unpaid. They told me that I could get either probation or I could be let go. I got hysterical. I had to call my mom to come get me, I was so upset that I couldn't function. My manager had to stay with me as long as I was in the building, which was embarrasing. I took an extra nerve pill while waiting for my mom to come get me. I just sat there and cried, telling her over and over that I didn't take it, I would rather die than risk my job. I love my job, and I've been with the company for six years now.

When my mom got me home, I took my managers advice and checked my uniform from the day before. My mom was a witness. We checked all the pockets. I had a shirt that has double slit patch pockets on the front. I always use the pockets closest to my body, never the ones further out. We found the pill in the front pocket. I was so happy that I cried. My anxiety medicine had kicked in,and I remembered the entire incident from the night before. I immediately called the hospital, requesting to talk to the head lady in HR. I explained to her what had happened, and she told me that its fishy since just an hour and half ago, I didn't know what happened to it. But its the truth. I'll swear on a Bible, I'll give hair sample for drug testing, whatever they want. I'm not a drug abuser, never have been. And the thought that they are suspicous of that makes me upset, but I can see where they are coming from. Its been over a week since this happened. Its been more than five days. I still haven't heard anything yet. The waiting is killing me. Just the thought that I could lose my job is driving me insane. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this before, what came of it, or does anyone have any suggestions for me? I could really use all the support I can get at this point. Thanks

[nicuRN2007]

Don't have any advice for you, but I just wanted to tell you that I believe you are telling the truth. So sorry this has happened to you, and I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

[LadyJRN]

I am surprised they didn't make you take a drug test. For what it's worth, I believe you. Some days (and nights) can get really busy and I can see how this happened. I have went home with a bottle of insulin in my pocket more than once. I know that is not the same as a narc, but when the floor is crazy busy and you are trying to do several things at the same time, it can happen.

Can you call your HR department and ask them where they are in their investigation?

I too am sorry this has happened to you. Use it as a learning experience. I bet you never take a narc home again!

Best of luck to you! :icon_hug:

[RN BSN 2009]

is it possible you can tell them to drug test you for it?

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

is it possible you can tell them to drug test you for it?

She offered that before she ever left the facility. They passed on it.

I believe you. I know only too well how busy it can get. Once when working for an temp agency, back when we were counting narc's, I had a 10mg Valium missing. It was my first time at that hospital and I just knew they thought I stole it and I was mortified. After about an hour it was found by the nurse on the next shift. The valium were in those rolls where you tear off one and go on about your business. Some idiot had taped one to the "bottom" of the box after the patient refused the pill. I was in the process of filling out all the necessary papers. Woo Hoo ya'll I'm going home now!

Again, I believe you, I hope this all turns out well. Let us know.

[caliotter3]

I thought all places had a written policy about mandatory drug testing when problems arise (like an accident). So your rights were denied, when they denied you the ability to take the drug test. It has been days? You should have gone to an employment attorney already. Don't let this go any further without seeing an attorney. As it stands, they can not only fire you, they can report you to board. Get the attorney now.

[UnidentifiedNurse]

Sorry, I don't really have an advice for you, but I wanted to say that the way you described how your day went at work was totally like the way my day went the last time I worked.

[Soup Turtle]

Seriously?!? This is over one pill?!? Why would anyone lie about a single pill? I don't know how long the stuff stays in your system, but is it possible you could get yourself drug tested so that you have proof that you didn't take it? What a mess! You have my sympathy.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

I, too, believe you and this whole thing is so unfortunate but I also understand if others do not want to believe you because this sounds like an "unreal" story. No matter how bad things get you should never put a narc in your pocket. It's bad enough people going home with eyedrops, scissors, etc...Hope you get to keep your job.

[lllliv]

if i were you i'd get a lawyer. unless i had union representation.

[caliotter3]

One of my new co-workers (I think I remember her being an agency replacement) placed a bottle of roxanol in her pocket temporarily, she was so swamped. Apparently the cap was loose and it spilled. When she discovered it, she went ga-ga. We did the paperwork and I told her to try not to worry. (It is another story, but stuff was flying, all over, due to many reasons, one of which being that the DON had her hands in the cookie jar). She was lucky. Nobody crucified her over it. If it spilled, it spilled, I witnessed the big wet spot on her uniform pocket. It still was nerve-wracking. I was going to make another remark but have thought better of it. You still need to see an attorney, without wasting any more time. This situation should have been handled at the supvr level. For it to go to HR, shows they mean business. Protect your license.

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

You found the pill, why can't you just take it back?