Patient Died from Med Allergy

Published

I just found this site and had to post. Ive had the worst day today. One of my biggest nightmares has come true! I killed a patient! Obviously, it was an accident but that is of little comfort to me right now. I've sat here and cried for hours -- I had to leave work early. ...Administered a medication they were allergic to it. It was in their file, but I was told to give it and I didn't double check. Clearly, more than myself is involved in this. I'm so worried -- I may lose my license. I'm utterly devastasted this happened. I think this is my last day of nursing... I can't fathom going back as just started 10 months ago. Just had to vent guys. :cry:

I'm sending my good thoughts your way. I hope everything turns out for the better. *hugs*

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I have sent an alert to the Mods. asking that this post be edited for her protection.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

How horrible! I am so sorry that happened to you. Can you talk to someone about what happened? Like a counselor?

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i am sorry for you...all of them are right! humans are made to make mistakes, nobody's perfect in all we do, in all we say, in all our actions, etc. But don't loose hope, God is always there for us. He will not give us such as this situation if He knows we can't handle it.

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Prayers said for both you and the pt's familiy.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel right now, my heart goes out to you. Please see a counsellor to talk this through because your in a bad situation right now.

I also agree this thread should be deleted or even just change the details.

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You are human. There is not one human in the world that is 100% perfect and does not make errors. I currently work in IT - I have made errors that crashed a server. No matter what field you work in - nursing, science, IT, business, law, no matter what it is, you will hurt a patient, mess up a culture, crash a server, lose a case, etc. God did not make us perfect people. There will be some people who say that nurses and doctors "cannot afford" to make mistakes - well they do. And this sounds absolutely horrible to say, but many, many doctors and nurses have killed people, because they are human & humans make mistakes. Do you have to be more careful? Of course!!! But will you make more mistakes? Yes! You will always make mistakes. Hopefully not so serious, but you are new & you are learning. I do not think you should quit nursing. Take the opportunity to save and help as many people as you can and be extremely careful in the future. There will most likely be repercussions for what happened, but you will just have to accept that and find a way to move on. If you are Catholic, go to confession. The priest will help/guide you and I don't think he will say anything like you are unforgivable, or that you should quit.

The above is great advice!!!

I'm sorry your going through this! I agree with everyone else...you need to delete this post ASAP to protect yourself. :redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe

And don't quit nursing because you made a human error that everyone at some point is capable of. You were probably in a hurry and had a gazillion things going on. Next time (hopefully there will be a next time) I'm sure you will be extra meticulous and a better nurse because of this experience. :nurse:

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Oh my God. I am so sorry.

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Specializes in Adult Cardiac surgical.

I wish you peace in this difficult time!

Rarely is a serious mistake like this due to ONE person. Rather it is generally a breakdown in a whole sytem. God Bless. And, God bless the patients family.

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I am so sorry, If God bring it to you He'll see you through it, This is the reason I chose to be in nursing. I drove a school bus and campus bus for 12 years. I had a bus accident that was the worst in 30 years for the area I lived in.

Some kids pulled out in front of me on the hwy and I ran over their car at 55 mph. I never wanted to get into another bus. I know it is not the same but it is. I felt I killed a beautiful 16 year old girl.

The only way I could have gotten to the point I am at now is by praying to God. Ask him for the rest you need in your mind and heart. And know he is right there with you. And he will help you with this. But don't give up. and don't give in. There is a reason, but we will not know it in this life.

Right now all we see is a jar of puzzle pieces without the box. someday God will show us the full picture. I do not know your name, but I will keep you in my prayers. It will be alright, Trust the God in Heaven that Loves you...

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I hope you find some peace. It is a terrible thing that happened for the patient and also for you. It makes me very sad to hear this. It affirms for me once again, that although all of these safety checks are in place, we are still all human. We are subject to so many distractions, regulations, and intimidation. At the end of the day we are all humans trying to do our very best. Inevitably, sometimes we fail. I have been a nurse for 21+ years. I know I could be in your shoes tomorrow or could have been there many other times. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

I add to everything here. I am so sorry. Trust in God, He will bring you through this. I hope you have allready contacted a lawyer. Don't rely on your job to provide you one.

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