Medication Error

Does your organization also subscribe to using a just culture? The idea behind this process is that mistakes or errors should not result in automatic punishment, but rather find the cause so learning takes place and change actually occurs.This way others can learn from your mistakes.I am not certain I would like it either but I sure would get my act in gear and do whatever I had to do not to make any more! I have always been good at finding holes in systems that could lead to patient harm and plugging those holes.So if you stuck with this system you need to just work with it and do everything possible to carefully administer medications.

Is it a medication error if the doctor was fine giving a extra dose

9 minutes ago, LilaJensenHerman said:

Is it a medication error if the doctor was fine giving a extra dose

Depends on why the extra dose was given.  If the doctor purposely ordered the extra dose, then no medication error.  If you accidentally gave an extra dose with no order, then yes, it would be, even if the physician isn't concerned about it or no harm results. 

No order for an extra dose

Should I now do an incident report

1 minute ago, LilaJensenHerman said:

No order for an extra dose

Should I now do an incident report

I think you should consult with your supervisor, however, at my facility it would be a yes. 

Does anyone use the epic system and know how often audits are done on medications 

And who does them

The doctor did want the patient to get an extra dose and he was okay with her getting it

On 11/3/2020 at 2:15 PM, suturethis said:

Hello,

At my current place of employment we use Point Click Care. If a medication error is made then an incident report is made, and you have to sign it. The incident report can be seen by everyone who uses point click care. I feel this is violating my privacy. I understand if I make an error, that is my own wrong doing, but I don't feel comfortable with the fact that anyone can view this. I was wondering what other facilities do for this. This is a newer process for med errors that started a few months back. 

We use the same system at my facility.  I can understand your concerns, but unfortunately, there's not really any way around this.  I can pretty much assure you that the only ones who really pay any attention would be your supervisors.  Most of your coworkers have too many of their own issues to deal with than to worry about someone else's errors (unless it negatively impacts the care they give to a patient, e.g. needing to send them to the hospital during a busy shift).  With that said, I agree with another poster it could be seen as an incentive to administer medications in a careful and mindful manner. 

Thanks I will talk with my manager 

1 minute ago, LilaJensenHerman said:

The doctor did want the patient to get an extra dose and he was okay with her getting it

Hmm, maybe not so much then, as far as it being a medication error.  At the very least, I'd write a thorough progress note regarding the situation.  Again, it may be worth reviewing with your supervisor if there is any doubt. 

I’m afraid I will get fired 

But will talk with my managet

I did write a note in the chart regarding my conversation with the doctor

It's usually an incident report at most, if not all, places today. Since you would have to notify the PMP, you might be able to get a 'covering order'. I've done so a few times. Fortunately, there was no harm to the pt, and I would have explained out the whole situation. Seems this worked out for you. But there still remains a reason why the situation occurred and how it could be prevented for the future.

If your EHR has already identified a 'med error', you will need to do any other documentation as req. But you're right, the situation does seem like an invasion of your privacy.

I'm confused re your current screen name and that of the OP. PLEASE consider using an anonymous name! TOO MANY folk can read about this here.