Med error need guidence

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I had a nurse practitioner order coumadin and lovenox for a resident with a poplitial artery occlusion. I didnt realize until it was Too late that he was on plavix and aspirin. I gave the lovenox and coumadin that night. The nurse behind me gave the aspirin and plavix the next morning and i was pulling a double but took a different assignment. I called the np back and got the two dcd. Im a new nurse and this is my first med error and i am so upset at myself. I feel so stupid. Any advice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

My advice is not to be hard on yourself and chalk it up to a lesson learned. Hope all is fine with your patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

That's not necessarily a med error. Coumadin and Plavix can be taken concurrently.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

Was the NP aware of the other meds?? she wrote the script....

dont beat yourself up. you still caught it and thats good. you wont let it happen again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Also, it takes a few days for Coumadin to reach therapeutic levels. One dose probably didn't do anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

oops, I posted in the wrong place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You didn't make an error. You caught the practitioner's error.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care.

I'm surprised Pharmacy didnt pick up on this, either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

I agree, you followed an order, the practitioner made the error, not you. Coumadin and Plavix can be given concurrently, so I wouldn't have necessarily caught it either. Before any practitioner prescribes medication, it is imperative that they know the other medications the patient is on.:twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too don't see this as an error - coumadin, plavix, lovenox and ASA CAN be given together.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Physical Rehabilitation, med-surg.

agree with the others that this wasn't a med error. You're actually more prudent in realizing later that this might possibly not be what the clinician intended. Too many nurses out there don't really think and are just pill pushing drones. Good catch!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Any one know where i can read more about lovenox coumadin aspirin and plavix

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion