Med error or not?

Was it a scheduled med or prn? Did the provider know the patient declined the scheduled dose? I don't know the specifics of the situation or your facility's policies, but for us, we are allowed to give certain prescribed med past the scheduled time if the patient had previously declined, and it wouldn't interfere with the next scheduled dose. For example, if a patient has a schedule synthroid to be given before breakfast and declines it for whatever reason, we can give it later on, if the patient requests it (of course we try to shoot for an empty stomach). However, we have standing orders to do so, and obviously many meds cannot be given outside of their scheduled time for various reasons. Of course, if it is PRN, then that's a different story- you give it when you need to, as long as it is at an appropriate interval.

So, short answer is that it is hard to determine if it is a "med error" without for info.

Rule of thumb, call the provider when in doubt about a med. Of course, it is easy for me to say that because our providers are accessible and friendly. Working in a situation where you do not have easy access to consultation makes things more complicated.

Oops, yes scheduled tid. The drs do not like to be called early am.

Whether this would be a med error or not depends on your facility policy.

I don't think it would be a med error, I thinker errors of giving the wrong med, the wrong dose etc. Meds like that are typically a prn so I don't think it's too concerning and I personally would not call the dr for a refusal of that med and the fact that she could not sleep you did fine. The only thing is making sure the next dose is given so many hours after and not too close like say 8 hrs. I work in mh and would not call the dr for refusal of an anti anxiety med unless the cl was visibly anxious and out of control.