Narcotic Descrepency!!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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!!

Wow. Some of you are just really...unhelpful. Talk about beating a dead horse. Give the OP a break for heaven's sake...like you have never made a mistake. OP, you are not going to lose your job over this. Your unit needs a nurse, and they just spent a lot of money on orienting you for 3 months. Everyone knows you did not take the pills. If they did, they would have reported you to pharmacy and you would have taken a drug test. Depending on your NM, don't be suprised by a write up. They just have to document that they took necessary steps to educate you on proper reporting of narotic discrepancy.

Try not to let it ruin your weekend!

I'm really not being snarky, I truly don't understand. Why do you think people are being unhelpful and beating a dead horse. All the posts were objective and factual info re standard P&P in these type scenarios. There are no posts berating OP. She asked for opinions.

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Specializes in cardiac (CCU/Heart Transplant, cath lab).

There were some posters that were replying with things like oh, wow I definitely would have done it this way. You should have done this.

The OP stated in her first post that she realizes she made a huge mistake and should have done such and such course of action. So I didn't think that aspect needed to be rehashed by so many. She obviously felt terrible. The opinions just seemed a little redundant, imho.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

If people don't want differing opinions, perhaps they should post their issues in a blog, not in a forum where discussion is encouraged.

I've read many posts on AN and it seems that if someone doesn't agree that the OPis a wonderful,caring,spectacular nurse, they are branded as mean or uncaring.

Not everyone is a great nurse. Again, if you don't expect a comment or two that doesn't agree with your point of view or see you as the best nurse in the world who just happened to make amistake, then you might not want to post.

And, yes, my asbestos suit is on and fits quite well.

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What a stressful thing to have to be carrying around on your shoulders! Why can't it be resolved before Monday? 12 missing pills is a big deal...ot something that facilities usually wait until the next business day to resovle. Do they not do a narcotic count at the end of each shift? There would be no way that we could have gone home before that was resolved when I worked on the unit. Did nobody get into the drawer in the Pyxis after you?

I understand that you know realize it was a huge mistake, but I really don't think that the fact that you joked about it with another nurse will really do much to work in your favor. :confused: It wasn't reported to the appropriate person in a timely manor- or at all- and that is really all that matters.

I think at worst you will be written up. I really don't understand why it can't be resolved until Monday though.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
There were some posters that were replying with things like oh, wow I definitely would have done it this way. You should have done this.

The OP stated in her first post that she realizes she made a huge mistake and should have done such and such course of action. So I didn't think that aspect needed to be rehashed by so many. She obviously felt terrible. The opinions just seemed a little redundant, imho.

Unfortunately your opinion seems redundant as well and I mean that with all sincerty and no malice. Being fresh to this profession I understand that believing bad things happen to good people but they do. Many times the posters opinions and views on how it should or shouldn't be handled is strongly dependent on the amount of time in the profession and whether or not we've seen someone very nice and innocent get their head handed to them on a platter through no fault of their own........or just because of the way the said I'm sorry and "didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation." Many of our posts are based on what we know is law concerning dispensing, ordering administering and control of controlled substances.

I have seen some perfectly AMAZING nurses get caught up in the tornado of a series of circumstances and lose their license, their livelihoods, their lives and everything they've worked for.......and we don't want her to fall victim to that as well. If Monday comes and the Charge nurse, supervisor and administrator on call need to save their butts......guess who gets fired?

If you have been texting and driving, cause and accident and kill someone......recognizing what you have done and that you "get it" and are really sorry and made a huge mistake.....won't absolve you of punishment nor lessen the seriousness and gravity of what you have done.....and yea they are just opinions and everyone is entitled to them.....if you don't want ot hear it don't post it on the internet...;)

OP I hope this all turns out well....let us know. ;):redpinkhe

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You know, I commented on this post once already and I have to tell you...Today, I found myself in the same situation! Our pixis does not tell us how many are there, but if you count wrong, apparently that is when it lets you know that a discrepancy was created. My situation would have been an overage, but that is just as bad really. So, anyway, thanks to your post I got my charge ASAP and we fixed it on the spot. She said "It's very good that you came to me right away, always do that." So, I know I said in my reply that I would have asked for help ASAP but I am not 100% sure I would have until I read your post. It is easy look at my computer screen and say "Oh well, I would have done xyz..." So thank you for posting, you saved my butt. I am sure you are going to be OK, you are not an idiot, you just made a mistake. Please let us know your outcome.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Usually a pharmacy refill error, or someone put meds back in another bin if there was a drawer failure. Happens often enough. The worst, the worst that can happen is you pee in a cup for several months. I would refuse to sign any attempts at written warnings or ownership. You will come across this many times. Just address it immediately in the future, and we all forget at times when we're busy, go home and think "crap"! It simply happens.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You know, I commented on this post once already and I have to tell you...Today, I found myself in the same situation! Our pixis does not tell us how many are there, but if you count wrong, apparently that is when it lets you know that a discrepancy was created. My situation would have been an overage, but that is just as bad really. So, anyway, thanks to your post I got my charge ASAP and we fixed it on the spot. She said "It's very good that you came to me right away, always do that." So, I know I said in my reply that I would have asked for help ASAP but I am not 100% sure I would have until I read your post. It is easy look at my computer screen and say "Oh well, I would have done xyz..." So thank you for posting, you saved my butt. I am sure you are going to be OK, you are not an idiot, you just made a mistake. Please let us know your outcome.

Exactky.......The computer will not tell you how many are present so all you have to do is say "Yup....12 present". It prompts you to tell it how many are present and then it will let you know how many there were and whether or not it is correct. Inventories are done on the Pyxis with approved personnel where they count ALL meds and see what is missing or present. Most facilities I have experience with have policies in place for discrepancies and the immediate notification of supervision to resolve. The OP made a mistake and you are right she may feel foolish but she isn't and idiot.;)

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One of the pharmacy managers or supervisors came up to my floor to talk to my PCM while I was working yesterday, and they both approached me to tell me no big deal, I was fine. Usually with a discrepancy it's 1 or 2 pills, and no one is allowed to leave until it gets straightened out, however that was clearly a pharmacy loading error rather than a nursing error or theft. I didn't een get repremanded for failure to report it. Needless to say, I really lucked out here, and I learned a huge lesson that might save me in the future since now I know EXACTLY what to do from now on. Thanks everyone for your support!!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Yay! I'm glad it worked out well for you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
One of the pharmacy managers or supervisors came up to my floor to talk to my PCM while I was working yesterday, and they both approached me to tell me no big deal, I was fine. Usually with a discrepancy it's 1 or 2 pills, and no one is allowed to leave until it gets straightened out, however that was clearly a pharmacy loading error rather than a nursing error or theft. I didn't een get repremanded for failure to report it. Needless to say, I really lucked out here, and I learned a huge lesson that might save me in the future since now I know EXACTLY what to do from now on. Thanks everyone for your support!!

AWESOME!!!:hug:

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Specializes in ICU.
One of the pharmacy managers or supervisors came up to my floor to talk to my PCM while I was working yesterday, and they both approached me to tell me no big deal, I was fine. Usually with a discrepancy it's 1 or 2 pills, and no one is allowed to leave until it gets straightened out, however that was clearly a pharmacy loading error rather than a nursing error or theft. I didn't een get repremanded for failure to report it. Needless to say, I really lucked out here, and I learned a huge lesson that might save me in the future since now I know EXACTLY what to do from now on. Thanks everyone for your support!!

I hoped you learned another lesson here, "time spend worrying is time wasted."

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