Oops, sorry! Son got wrong vaccination

Nurses General Nursing

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My son is 8 years old. He had a well-child check up Friday. NP said he's due for varrivax booster and they also recommend Hep A. I had never heard of Hep A for kids. She said that it's not a new vaccination, but they've only been giving it to kids for about a month. Ok, I'll think about it. She says thats fine, she'll give me the paper work.

In walks nurse/med assistant (not sure title). She's giong to do finger poke and what I think is varivax. She was very rude from the very beginning of the appointment. Anyhow, she just grabs his finger and pokes, doesnt even give a chance to explain this to my son are ask him if he's ready. Poke! Just does it. I know he's 8 and won't say he ready, but come on a little warning would have been nice for both of us. Then she asks him where he wants his shot. "Will you hold still like a big boy and take it in the arm like the big boys do, or do we have to use your leg like the babies" I interrupted her and said that the leg would be better because the muscle is bigger and it won't be as tender afterward. So I get him ready and as I'm distracting him she pops in the shot, again no warning to either one of us. I did not see her give the shot, but then I see her put 2 bandaids on, one on each leg. Ok, whats going on. I ask her to give me a copy of what she just gave him. Sure as heck, she gave him the Hep A also. I brought this to her attention and she says, well she wrote for me to give both, I gave you the sheets, and there's really no harm. Sorry. Then walks away. I told the receptionist Sorry just isnt' good enough. I then talk to the NP who says she did not order for the Hep A only the varrivax, but that on the education she circled both varrivax and Hep A so I could look at the info. The person who gave the shot comes back over and says, well I can't take it back, and it's actually a good thing.

Yes, maybe this is a little mistake and no harm was done. But she didn't even own her mistake. She wouldn't have told anyone if I wouldn't have brought it up. I was told to call the office manager on Monday to speak to them. All I want is just an acknowledgement that it was a mistake. This lady was in a big rush since the beginning of his appt. And quite rude for being in peds office. What if it would have been something else.

I am not overreacting, am I? Now, he has a huge (larger than 50 cent piece red swollen area that is slightly warm on one leg. I don't even know which one went into which leg. I'm sure thats normal.

Thanks for listening to my vent.

I would be furious about what happened!! You have every right to be upset. It was definately a med error and should be reported to the appropriate persons. If this nurse/MA? walked in with an attitude to begin with, I assure you she would have walked straight back out with her attitude and not have touched my son! I agree with the others, I'd put everything in writing and discuss it not only iwth the office mgr, but also with the physician that the NP practices under. And I'd be damn sure that the nurse/MA? never had contact with my son again, ever, assuming you decide to stay with this pediatrician, and assuming they continue to employ her. Let us know how things work out.

I know there are bad nurses too, but you often get what you pay for. Many doctors offices try to save money by hiring unlcensed folks when an RN or LPN would be better (IMHO) in many cases. There just isn't the knowledge behind the actions if it is not a nurse. I will concede there are good MA's and bad nurses, but think about all we learn about pt. teaching, etc. The error is bad. That attitude! It really frosts me.My sister is an attorney. I can just imagine what she'd say about this one. If it were one of my kids, she'd be giving them a call to meet w/ the head of the practice. I am not lawyer happy, but I agree w/ what everyone else has said about some legal intervention.

Specializes in Oncology, Neuro, Cardiac.

I think I agree with everyone else!!! I would be soooo ticked! I can't add anymore, but I hope you will keep us up to date.

What if next time, it's a different situation, and a kid really gets hurt!!!!

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
The bad attitude is secondary to the error that was comitted. I would be very concerned about the medication error and take this to another level.

Who every the aid was, was just following instructions. Unless she was in the room when the OP said she was going to think about if first, more than likely she was just giving what shots she was instructed to give. I am not excusing the behavior but I would be more concerned with a physician that ordered something after I said no.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, DOU.

I would be very very very upset over that one -- :angryfire . The kind of upset where I would want to just :trout:.

I am soooo sorry that this happened to your son and you. I wish you well in your endeavors to resolve this issue.

Specializes in Emergency.
hmmm.....can we spell a s s a u l t........

Actually, I think this constitutes a battery.

darn, i hate it when i am wrong!!!! lol your are correct, touching without consent is battery, assault is the puttng in fear....

Well, I'm off this morning to meet with the office manager. I have a detailed letter of the events. A request for incident report to be filed and a copy to be sent to me and a request to speak to the physician in charge of the office.

Just for clarification, the Hep A vaccine was NOT ordered by the NP. She circled Hep A for education. That is where the mix up occurred.

Thank you everyone for all your input and concern. It has been very helpful in deciding the next step to take.

thanks again for all your support

Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

See if I was the NP I would have taken the order to the nurse/tech/aide ...whatever she was and varified what I wanted. And in equal turn if I was the tech/nurse/aide getting the order I would have clarified it to be sure what I was giving...not only with the NP but with the parent, I would have explained what it was and side effects. I feel like the others this is a huge med error! And you should be Pi**ed! Good for you on following it up.

Specializes in Utilization Management.

I'm so very sorry this happened. If it was my child, I would have to take some kind of action in order to ensure that this didn't happen again. And as with you, I'm even more concerned by the cavalier attitude than I am with the actual mistake.

I have to say this also. From other threads on this board and my own experience--I'd have to bet that the person who did this was not a nurse and not licensed.

Please let us know how it comes out.

Specializes in cardiac.
Well, I'm off this morning to meet with the office manager. I have a detailed letter of the events. A request for incident report to be filed and a copy to be sent to me and a request to speak to the physician in charge of the office.

Just for clarification, the Hep A vaccine was NOT ordered by the NP. She circled Hep A for education. That is where the mix up occurred.

Thank you everyone for all your input and concern. It has been very helpful in deciding the next step to take.

thanks again for all your support

Good for you. Let us know what happens.

Specializes in cardiac.

Yeah, Angioplasty, I'm thinking the person wasn't a RN or LPN either. Since DR's offices use MA's for these types of things. that's not to say that all MA's are like this.They aren't. We're still not sure if it was a nurse though. If it was a nurse, then she did not follow the five rights nor did she double check the orders. What a bad situation.

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