Medication errors

[fangirl]

Just curious, how are medication errors handled at your facility? My employer gives you a write up for a medication error. Of course, you have to initiate a change of condition, pain evaluation, investigation, risk management forms, call the power of attorney and the doctor. I previously worked at a hospital and if a medication error occurred, you were NOT to tell the patient or the family, to avoid a lawsuit. I currently work as a nurse in a long term care facility. We are required to tell the patient and POA about any and all medication errors. Just curious how other facilities handle these type of situations.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

At my former place of employment, medication errors require an incident report as well as an assessment and notification of patient and physician. If the patient is not cognitively intact, family would be notified.

A written warning would be issued only if the nurse repeatedly made med errors.