I am starting LVN school next week. I went to the doctors office to tie up my last vaccination. There is a new Medical Assistant,MA, (older woman)being trained by a young MA. The young MA had drawn the vaccination. This was out of my sight. The new MA comes in and give me the shot. One, The new MA would not put the safety device on the needle as she transport to the sharps bin. It came too close. Also she did not let alcohol dry naturally. Vaccine had burned @ injection. uggh!
I asked for proof of the shot. I run my errands and return home. As I am walking up the steps. I noticed, Immunization Admission Report says www.gardasil.com. ***** I dont believe in this vaccination. I just knew this was a typo. I called the dr's office and left a message .. hey! Ya'll made a mistake!
*ring.. ring* Hello! It's my Dr. I'm thinking, Why is she calling me?
Dr Says: Oh Smiles! I'm so sorry .. we really gave Gardasil. No you could not have gave me Gardasil.. ***** Smiles, we need you to come in to get your chxpox shot.. Are you *bleep bleep bleep * Serious! So I'm going off about the evils of Gardasil. She said I gave my daughter this shot.. My response: So! In the 60's or early 70's Do you remember the drug that it was given to pregnant moms for nausea. It made the daughters sterile. I would not want to do that to a chile. Gardasil is not needed ..
I did not realise Garadasil was 3 shot series. What's happens to me? I only got 1 out of 3. I read,folks were having side effects
I get back to Dr office. Dr is all calm and tries to convince me that I'm ok.. I said Yeah If I turn into the Fly or Zombie.. or dead.. I'm sure I'm ok.. So i cant convince you that you were not harmed by this shot, she asks.. NO! I said. The Dr also told me that Both MA's were highly skilled. When a vaccine incident is made the whole office feel bad. (I hope this is a rarity) Smiles, I do not think you are harmed by the vaccine.., The Dr says again. Smiles, my most educated patient should not believe everything on the internet or blah blah said the Dr. I looked at her with a death stare.
I'm not paying for the Garasil or chixpox shot. either. My Garasil arm hurt for 2 days. Tylenol was no help.
The new MA comes in.. No apologies..and ask for my arm.. She shows me the vial to prove its chixpox shot , give me the shot and blood is running down my arm from the injection. MA cleans it up. I had to tell her that she is to put on the safety device per transporting it to the sharps. Also, I asked her to let the alcohol to dry before injection. So it would not burn. Why did she blow on my arm? So where is the sterilization again?
I guess I had so too many points.. She finally ask me, Who are you? What are you? I said I'm a patient who has had phlebotomy training and one who reads and writes presidents of medical groups and hospitals .
She says oh!
The young MA was hiding per the checkout patient rep..
So I'm looking for a new dr.
What I have learn from this experience?
Yes, Folks are human. BUT, 2 pairs of eyes should have looked at the vial. So, they should have recheck the script.
When a patient comes in questioning a situation. I will not blow her off. If she or he wants to see the needle pulled from a new wrapping.. I will show up.
I will try my best to look at the script twice.
Is there anything else that I should have learned from this experience?
Specializes in Family medicine, cardiology, hematology.
From the OP I take it the MAs were generic-off-the-street-on-the-job-trained MAs and not Certified or Registered MAs. I am a CMA (AAMA) for almost 12 yrs. and a SPN. It burns my bum that so many clinical people in MD offices are just pulled off the street and trained in-house. The MDs do that to save $$$. I went to school for 2 yrs and have to have CPR and CEUs to recertify, but I had one MD offer me $6.00/hr (before min. wage went up this last time). I laughed in his face.
I'm so sorry you had this experience. I really don't see how they screwed up giving you Gardasil instead of varicella vaccine. Gardasil comes in a premeasured syringe. I've only seen varicella in a multi-dose vial. Personally, I bleed like a stuck pig after any injection. It always scares the CMA/LPN.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Some of the best blood draws and injections I have had have been from a MA. Had some good ones from nurses as well and some bad. I don't think it's the fact they were a MA that is a problem.
But I would for sure write a formal complaint to the heads of the office and not just let this go. That is absolutely absurd and I would be livid. Their is no excuse for all of that.
I think you jumped right off the deep end. They absolutely made a mistake, but I agree that there was little harm done. Take a deep breath and move on.
I think you should continue going to this doctor because everytime they see you coming they will be extra, extra, extra careful to make sure everything is done just right!:)
when my youngest was 4 mos old, i had brought him in for his vaccinations.
he developed abscesses on both legs, which eventually had to be drained.
it was the pediatrician who had given the injections, and when i shared my alarm, he shrugged it off and said, "they must've come from contaminated vials".
no apologies.
my point being, it is not only ma's or untrained folks that can be dismissive.
i am sorry this happened to you, but am glad no harm was done.
i've stated twice. they were human i.e. the dr and 2 ma's. the fact it is my personal choice not to have garasil. i'm now wishing that i did not get the chixpox vaccine. i'm not suing anyone just registering the complaint ..hopefully folks will be more vigilant. one of replies to the post said legal action. i did not say it. i want to register a complaint just in case.. just like the issues with yaz and yasmine.
buzkil re: my vent and what i will learn from it?
i think you should continue going to this doctor because everytime they see you coming they will be extra, extra, extra careful to make sure everything is done just right!:)
umm no! i'm looking for a new dr! trust is gone!
jojo626 re: my vent and what i will learn from it?
from the op i take it the mas were generic-off-the-street-on-the-job-trained mas and not certified or registered mas. i am a cma (aama) for almost 12 yrs. and a spn. it burns my bum that so many clinical people in md offices are just pulled off the street and trained in-house. the mds do that to save $$$. i went to school for 2 yrs and have to have cpr and ceus to recertify, but i had one md offer me $6.00/hr (before min. wage went up this last time). i laughed in his face. really he offered you $6.00 .. what bills could you pay with $6.00hr? i was offered $8.50hr for phlebotomy job. i was like umm thanks no thanks
i'm so sorry you had this experience. i really don't see how they screwed up giving you gardasil instead of varicella vaccine. gardasil comes in a premeasured syringe. i've only seen varicella in a multi-dose vial. personally, i bleed like a stuck pig after any injection. it always scares the cma/lpn.
no, the gardasil did not come in a premeasured syringe. it came in a vial. i saw the actually vial. it has a cream color label with garadsil in brown lettering. the varicella shot had a white label in bluish letter of varivax? i've never bleed like that from a stick.. so i was concerned.. but if you lovely folks says its normal.. i'm cool with the stick.
bluegrassrn re: my vent and what i will learn from it?
i hope something else you learn from this is that you are human, i've said they are and i am human. and as a nurse i guarantee you will make worse mistakes than this over the course of your career. i hope you have learned some empathy for others. i have plenty of empathy,trust! i've worked in a harder field such as social services.
the doc apologized, told you everyone in the office felt badly about it, and told you that in her professional opinion you would not be harmed by the vaccine. what more did you want? there is nothing more that the dr or staff can do. how will you apologize when you make an error? i will apologize personally to the pt. also, the young ma hid when i came back to office. i believe in hitting an issue head on. i will apologize.
just some food for thought.:)
thanks for your feedback.. sometimes an apology is just words.. i'll make sure my actions prove my words
nascar nurse re: my vent and what i will learn from it?
sorry you are going thru this & i would be upset with the mistake too, but i have to ask... when you brought this med error to the dr's attention what was your expectation of him? he/she did say they were sorry, but i don't know that i see it as they "blew you off". what more could the dr. have reasonably done - can't take the injection back out of your arm either.
i do agree there is no way you should have to pay for the vaccine.
no the injection can not be taken back.. i wish.
only time will tell the outcome.. prayfully, it will be nothing. i can blow it off myself.
This "no harm done" attitude by both the MD and some other posters, shows a genuine lack of understanding of your concerns about Guardasil. Certainly, you do not have to continue the series, but there is no changing that you received a substance that could have untoward affects on your body, immediately or long-term. It is YOUR decision to choose what you believe is safe and an "I'm sorry. I'm sure no harm was done. Don't believe what you read on the Internet." is disrespectful. The MD was apologetic, and concerned about protecting her PRACTICE. Minimizing the error, while apologizing, could have been sincere - or it could have been an attempt to placate you. People being "human" and making mistakes does not mean that you haven't been wronged. Also, you may already know this, but Guardasil has only been approved for women from 9 to 26, so you received a vaccine that has not been tested or approved for women of your age.
Attempting to learn from this experience, is a positive approach to a difficult situation. You should expect good practice from anyone, of any experience level, and you should follow those protocols yourself - through nursing school and into your professional practice. I can not tell you how many RNs think it's too much effort to bring the MAR into the room, who stop looking at name bands or labeling multiple syringes once they have drawn up medications. I could go on all day this way. Hopefully, this is a reminder for you to understand the levity of medication administration. Never let anyone hurry or intimidate you - not your patient, instructor, an MD. There's a good chance the MA was so intimidated by the learning process - or being rushed along by the experience MA - and that was the root of the error. Once you develop a system, that follows all 5 rights, follow that routine - not just through nursing school but for as long as you are a nurse.
The blood is transient, Varivax is administered subQ, unlike the more common IM vaccines - so bleeding is not a sign of poor administration. I hope you reconsider what a "mess" it would be to write a formal complaint. Ensuring you address this may be therapeutic for you and may help to document the errors in practice that occur at this office. If this was an isolated incident, then at least you have unburdened yourself, if errors continue to occur, this documentation may help show a pattern. Medication errors occur every day - that does not mean they should be treated as being "human." While in this incident, no immediate visible harm occurred - errors in medication administration in other situations can lead to grave harm and even death. In my humble opinion, it is dangerous to be dismissive as some of the posts imply.
I think you jumped right off the deep end. They absolutely made a mistake, but I agree that there was little harm done. Take a deep breath and move on.
Just curious! if the bank teller makes a mistake and take $1000.00 out of your account..
Instead of depositing a $1000.00 in your account.
You accrue overdraft fees and all these new fees banks are tacking on for overdrawn account .. bounced checks
Will you be able to Take a deep break and move on, easily.. ?
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I would be extremely upset if I or one of my children were given the wrong injection, then to have it turn out to be an injection I was adamant against as well. Double that. Although if people did their 5 (or how ever many it's up to now) rights mistakes like this wouldn't happen. I do understand their will always be mistakes, giving someone the wrong injection when even 2 people are doing it, is a pretty big mistake.
I would be extremely upset if I or one of my children were given the wrong injection, then to have it turn out to be an injection I was adamant against as well. Double that. Although if people did their 5 (or how ever many it's up to now) rights mistakes like this wouldn't happen. I do understand their will always be mistakes, giving someone the wrong injection when even 2 people are doing it, is a pretty big mistake.
Do MA's learn the 5? I feel two eyes had to see the vial. If you drew the from the vial and hand me the needle, i am going to check the vial.
Myself b/c my license or job is on the line.
Thanks for the reply! I cant wait to learn and experience (good or bad) in my new adventure.
this "no harm done" attitude by both the md and some other posters, shows a genuine lack of understanding of your concerns about guardasil. certainly, you do not have to continue the series, but there is no changing that you received a substance that could have untoward affects on your body, immediately or long-term. it is your decision to choose what you believe is safe and an "i'm sorry. i'm sure no harm was done. don't believe what you read on the internet." is disrespectful. the md was apologetic, and concerned about protecting her practice. minimizing the error, while apologizing, could have been sincere - or it could have been an attempt to placate you. people being "human" and making mistakes does not mean that you haven't been wronged. also, you may already know this, but guardasil has only been approved for women from 9 to 26, so you received a vaccine that has not been tested or approved for women of your age. i asked for a chixpox shot,simple.. nothing more!
attempting to learn from this experience, is a positive approach to a difficult situation. you should expect good practice from anyone, of any experience level, and you should follow those protocols yourself - through nursing school and into your professional practice. i can not tell you how many rns think it's too much effort to bring the mar into the room, who stop looking at name bands or labeling multiple syringes once they have drawn up medications. i could go on all day this way. hopefully, this is a reminder for you to understand the levity of medication administration. never let anyone hurry or intimidate you - not your patient, instructor, an md. there's a good chance the ma was so intimidated by the learning process - or being rushed along by the experience ma - and that was the root of the error. once you develop a system, that follows all 5 rights, follow that routine - not just through nursing school but for as long as you are a nurse. this is the lesson to check and to take my time. she had the green sheet with her. but she did not check against it nor ask me what are you getting today?
i had surgery last yr. the nurses said smiles why are u here today? check my arm tag.. ask my d.o.b .. dr's name..
the blood is transient, varivax is administered subq, unlike the more common im vaccines - so bleeding is not a sign of poor administration. i hope you reconsider what a "mess" it would be to write a formal complaint. ensuring you address this may be therapeutic for you and may help to document the errors in practice that occur at this office. if this was an isolated incident, then at least you have unburdened yourself, if errors continue to occur, this documentation may help show a pattern. medication errors occur every day - that does not mean they should be treated as being "human." while in this incident, no immediate visible harm occurred - errors in medication administration in other situations can lead to grave harm and even death. in my humble opinion, it is dangerous to be dismissive as some of the posts imply.
you've summed up my feelings totally.. i appreciate it.. thank you!
It came too close. Also she did not let alcohol dry naturally. Vaccine had burned @ injection. uggh!
So i cant convince you that you were not harmed by this shot, she asks.. NO! I said. The Dr also told me that Both MA's were highly skilled. When a vaccine incident is made the whole office feel bad. (I hope this is a rarity) Smiles, I do not think you are harmed by the vaccine.., The Dr says again. Smiles, my most educated patient should not believe everything on the internet or blah blah said the Dr. I looked at her with a death stare. 
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JoJo626
18 Posts
From the OP I take it the MAs were generic-off-the-street-on-the-job-trained MAs and not Certified or Registered MAs. I am a CMA (AAMA) for almost 12 yrs. and a SPN. It burns my bum that so many clinical people in MD offices are just pulled off the street and trained in-house. The MDs do that to save $$$. I went to school for 2 yrs and have to have CPR and CEUs to recertify, but I had one MD offer me $6.00/hr (before min. wage went up this last time). I laughed in his face.
I'm so sorry you had this experience. I really don't see how they screwed up giving you Gardasil instead of varicella vaccine. Gardasil comes in a premeasured syringe. I've only seen varicella in a multi-dose vial. Personally, I bleed like a stuck pig after any injection. It always scares the CMA/LPN.