Med Error Question

[cnolan]

I inadvertantly gave 0.5 of a Lortab regular strength to a patient. The order was 0.5 of a extra strength.

I followed my error with an incident report, and now my standing in med administration is in jeopardy. (We have strict rules on errors.) I was made to complete a 7 page error booklet and sent to another division to take vitals.

The med was the same, just less than what was ordered. What do you think?

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

If you gave less than was called for I would be inclined to just go get more medication and give it to the patient to make up the difference ASAP, and forget the error part.

They do seem a bit heavy handed, that's for sure.

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Punitive treatment for following policy on honestly reporting is sort of defeating the purpose of expecting reporting errors at all! You did exactly what you were supposed to do and showed flawless integrity. Be sure to bring this up with your supervisor/DON. Keep up the good work!

[bigsyis]

As some have said, it seems like it wasn't THAT big a deal. However, as you know, it was an error, and even though the Drug name was the same, the dose wasn't. It looks as though your facility may have been burned by some med error(s) pretty badly in the past, and they are trying to nip it, nip it in the bud. We are all thankful for you that you erred on the underdosing side as opposed to the other, but it still means that the pt didn't get what they were supposed to have. With your heightened awareness, I'll bet you'll be doubly careful from now on! Good luck!

[jjjoy, LPN]

What's there to "learn" from this? That some things aren't fair. And to give yourself kudos for catching and reporting the error, even if no one else does. And to not let others' heavy-handed "remediations" get you down or make you feel that you're a terrible nurse. You don't usually make such mistakes right? My organization gives us the third degree for not clocking in and out properly. Why? Because they can get in trouble legally if there's chronic overtime or missed lunches, etc. They get the third degree from their supervisor and pass it on down the line.

You clearly know that med errors aren't to be taken lightly, otherwise, you wouldn't've reported yourself. It may seem the management is punishing you but in fact it's covering it's own orifice. What if another mistake happens? Well, they've got proof that they made it clear mistakes are not tolerated.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Wow..that is over the top. All that is going to do is make people NOT report their errors.

Yep, it sure will.

[karenna]

I am personally of the opinion that the hospital would rather not know about med errors if they are minor and not known to anyone but you the nurse. They have to tell you in orientation to write every little freaking thing up just to cover their orifices. You have learned my dear. Next time only tell your husband or priest about it----but don't tell anybody else if it's minor.

Constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon.~Dag Hammarskjold

Constant attention to paper work will keep you out of court---even if you suck as a nurse.--- Nurse Karenna

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Thats harsh for a minor error. I think that is part of the reason so many nurses feel the need to cover up each other's errors.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I agree with the general concensus here. It's a minor error, but one indeed.

Are you a med tech or a licensed nurse? Seems weird to send a nurse to another unit to do vitals over a med error. That's usually not how it's done.

[IMustBeCrazy]

I read the OP's profile, he/she is a nursing student.

As a student, I understand why you were sent to do vitals and why your standing with med administration is in jeopardy. 5 rights + allergies + expiration date three times....they forgot. :uhoh21:

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

I read the OP's profile, he/she is a nursing student.

As a student, I understand why you were sent to do vitals and why your standing with med administration is in jeopardy. 5 rights + allergies + expiration date three times....they forgot. :uhoh21:

Quite frankly I don't understand being sent to do vitals and why her standing is in jeopardy. And is the capitalization of NURSING STUDENT supposed to mean something egregious?

Sorry, I know I'm being sensitive about this but I feel like administrations may get to the point of public caning. A mistake is serious but jeez, how about some nurturing from peers and management.

[amyk_ncsu]

If he/she is indeed still a student, the instructor should bear some of the responsibility for this as well. Instructors are supposed to check everything as well before students ever give meds. No matter how senior the student is, you can't pass meds on your own until you pass the nclex.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

If he/she is indeed still a student, the instructor should bear some of the responsibility for this as well. Instructors are supposed to check everything as well before students ever give meds. No matter how senior the student is, you can't pass meds on your own until you pass the nclex.

Good point!