Medication Error HELP

[pomlover08]

Today was an interesting day at work. I had a patient who's on a prescribed eye drop q2h, the order says for R eye. Upon going to give the 1st dose of my shift, she tells me they go in both eyes (what she does at home). She's 89 and AAO x 3. So this is what I did.. the daughter comes in while I'm giving one of the doses and says, "you just made a medication error". Stating she's only supposed to get it in the R eye despite what the patient says. I understand that, yes I did commit med errors by doing this. My question is: if reported will, what's the worse that can happen? I'm a worrier, so any help would be great. Thanks!

[DoGoodThenGo]

Today was an interesting day at work. I had a patient who's on a prescribed eye drop q2h, the order says for R eye. Upon going to give the 1st dose of my shift, she tells me they go in both eyes (what she does at home). She's 89 and AAO x 3. So this is what I did.. the daughter comes in while I'm giving one of the doses and says, "you just made a medication error". Stating she's only supposed to get it in the R eye despite what the patient says. I understand that, yes I did commit med errors by doing this. My question is: if reported will, what's the worse that can happen? I'm a worrier, so any help would be great. Thanks!

Since when do the comments/suggestions from patients and or other unlicensed persons contravene a vaild doctor's order? IIRC the "five rights" say nothing about altering dosage and or administration of meds based upon patient input. What *should* happen where there is any question about the order is to contact a physican for clarification.

It is almost routine that many persons on meds alter dosages when at home for various reasons, but there is a world of difference between that sort of behaviour and the actions of a licensed professional nurse.

Chart up and own this error to your superiors before they find out about it via another source.

[Yiggs]

I am sorry that this happened to you but thank God it was not something more critical, or that it never resulted in injury to the unaffected eye. While this is unfortunate and it undoubtedly is causing you much grief, the truth is, chances are you will not make the same mistake again. I often tell my patients politely, "I take orders from the doctor, not from the patient," and give them a big smile. I then reassure them that they have a right to refuse the med if that is not how they take it, and also that I will inform their doctor of their concern. Take heart, it happens to the best of us. Follow through on what the other 'posters' suggest concerning following your institution's policy for reporting medication errors. It will get better!

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Never, ever go by what patient's say. Old people will tell you anything! And how do you know they don't have a bit of dementia and/or memory loss? She could have been thinking of another eye medication she was ordered. And the medication could be dangerous, depending upon what it is.

Next time, call the doctor or a senior nurse and get THEM to clarify with the patient.

I NEVER give medications differently from what is ordered - despite having huge arguments with patients and/or their family. I tell them I can only legally give them what has been ordered - and they either have to take it up with the doctor, or I call the doctor and he/she can change the order. Otherwise if I can't get hold of their doctor, I tell them they have the legal right to refuse the medication. Then it's their call, not yours.

Own up, I doubt much will happen. But you learned a lesson: you let yourself be bullied into making an error - and it could have had serious consequences. YOU ARE THE BOSS, not the patient or family. You need to stand up to them next time, and be a bit more forceful I think.

Good luck, let us know what happens.