Narcotic Descrepency!!!

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Hello all,

I am a new grad and recently just finished up my 3-month orientation. This is my first week on my own, and up until today I had yet to create a decrepency in the Pyxis. Well today, instead of counting 20 pills, there were only 8. I was so busy at the time, that even though I made a joke about it to one of my co workers as it happened, I forgot to report it to the charge nurse. Now the night charge just called me asking what happened and why we are short 12 pills, and while she is going to try to fix the descrepency herself, she does need to report it to the nursing supervisor. Has anything like this ever happened to anyone else??? I am so shaken up and scared of what is going to happen to me! I know descrepencies do happen from time to time, but usually it's only by 1 or 2 pills, and the nurse has the sense to report it IMMEDIATELY. I've tried so hard to do everything right since day one, and right now I'm really upset and worried that my word isn't going to be good enough :-( Also, I can't believe that I joked about it and then forgot to report it-- does at least making someone else aware of it somewhat help my case (what I mean is that at least I told someone, so it's not like I tried to hide anything???) Please help!!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

It happens to me all the time. It should have been reported, but it sort of was when you entered the correct number into the pixis. The fact that there were tablets missing is not your fault unless you happened to drop a whole card of narco on the floor, or something.

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Specializes in Psych.

You should have reported it to your charge nurse immediately. It's all about covering yourself in nursing. I would have even had someone witness with you that there was a discrepancy. With you being new you may be excused this first time. Just learn from your mistakes!

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@orange tree- I counted 3 times and checked on the floor and even between the pyxis and the wall.

@medsurg- I know, this is the part where i goofed up the worst. I did show another RN the slip, but was in such a hurry to get back to work that I totally forgot about it after that. I messed up bad by not officially reporting it. I failed to do the one thing that was constantly drilled into my head during school, and that's to cover myself. I will definitely learn from this mistake, I just hope it doesn't cost me my job. :'(

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In our Pyxis system I never know how many pills there should be, just how many there are. But when dealing with narcs, I would report anything and I mean anything ASAP, priority number 1...I hope you are excused for this mistake but I really hope that you learned from it.

*Personally, if I noticed a mistake like that I would have ended the transaction and called for help right at that moment.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think you'll be ok, as long as you can pass a drug test. Just try to learn from the mistake and keep it in mind for next time you come across a drug discrepancy.

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Twelve pills?

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Yep ... that's what the OP said, 12 pills; I'll tell ya I would have gotten another RN/supervisor stat. Hopefully they turn up or someone figures out what happened. If not get ready to take a drug screen.

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Right, so I'm the idiot new grad who ALMOST had a smooth first week off orientation, and I got sidetracked and failed to do the obvious, which was to immediately report it. It's a mistake I'll never make again. What I don't know is, what do I do now? I have to wait until Monday to have all this straightened out and talk to my PCM. I don't know what to do. I've barely even taken the narcs that have been prescribed to me legally after surgical procedures bc they all make me sick, so needless to say I would LOVE to take a drug test and prove my innocence. Also it was pointed out to me that the number of pills that should have been there probably would not even be able to fit in that tiny compartment. I got caught up in my work, which is often expected of a new grad, although this is definitely a major thing. Idk what to do and right about now it looks like a sleepless night with a soaked pillow :-(

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Well, our pharmacy tech entered something wrong one time and it looked like we lost about 5 percocet. Like you, we don't see what we should have, only that the pyxis said there is a mistake.

OP, I'm sure you will be able to keep your job. Next time pull someone in and have them verify with you. You did tell someone and they can vouch for you. In the meantime, learn from it and move on. Hugs.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
Right, so I'm the idiot new grad who ALMOST had a smooth first week off orientation, and I got sidetracked and failed to do the obvious, which was to immediately report it. It's a mistake I'll never make again. What I don't know is, what do I do now? I have to wait until Monday to have all this straightened out and talk to my PCM. I don't know what to do. I've barely even taken the narcs that have been prescribed to me legally after surgical procedures bc they all make me sick, so needless to say I would LOVE to take a drug test and prove my innocence. Also it was pointed out to me that the number of pills that should have been there probably would not even be able to fit in that tiny compartment. I got caught up in my work, which is often expected of a new grad, although this is definitely a major thing. Idk what to do and right about now it looks like a sleepless night with a soaked pillow :-(

My goodness, don't beat yourself up so much. You didn't cause this discrepancy, you just discovered and recorded it (in the pixis). The actual error was made before you got there. It's like driving by a crime scene, not committing the crime....and it may not even be a crime on top of that.

:twocents:

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

That's the worst thing about being a new grad. Make one mistake and live in absolute fear and dread of losing your job, license and reputation. No one thinks you took 12 pills. A good drug addict is better at covering tracks. An investigation has probably already uncovered a pharmacy tech screw-up. The tech probably got a stat call in the middle of loading the pyxis, or something.

It would be nice if someone would call you when they sort it out and put your mind at ease, but you'll probably have to sweat until you get back to work and find you you're off the hook. With a little slap on the wrist for not reporting right away. They have to set an example.

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