holdyourheadhigh

Thanks again for the posts back. I'm sorry I was so short, I have an IPod that I use at work for referencing and checking meds and so I went on to type it out and I stink at it so that was all I could get out! I think the head doc thought I was coming in to tell him I was quitting or that I killed someone because he could tell how nervous I was about it and when I hold him he said, "is that all?" He told me outright everything that most of you have said, it is their duty to make sure there is consent and that it has been signed. He said that while they like us to get things rolling by having them sign it before the doc's come in but if it's not they have to be the ones to do it. I knew this, but I felt responsible because I didn't think to pull it out of the chart so he would see it. He sincerely appreciated that I told him and that his trust in me had grown. I told him that it was a mother/daughter situation having the same procedure and they have each had multiple, and he was not concerned about it. Like I said, he did email the doc who done the procedure to make sure he knew and was okay with it and he was, admitted he should have caught it, and was alright with it not being signed. There will probably not be a late entry since this doctor is leaving next month and the head doc will take them on as pt's. I'm just glad to have told them about the situation, again, thank you for that support. you all are awesome!!

I talked to he head doc his morning about the situation, he was not concerned, emailed the other doc who said it was his mistake to not catch and he was not worried about it because it wasn't the first time. Thank you for the support!

I certainly don't believe that there is any way I could forget the consent again! I'm sorry to have learned it the hard way, but at least I've learned. Thanks for the insight, GrnTea. I'm curious to see what we will do to right this situation, I believe the pt's set to come back in 3 or 4 months for a follow up but by that time the doc who did the procedure will be working elsewhere. I wonder if they will have to come back in before then or what will happen. I have definitely decided to tell the first doc I see just so someone knows ASAP. I am in no way trying to throw the other doc under the bus by any means but I feel like someone in charge needs to know as soon as my shift is about to start Monday morning. Whatever consequences come my way will I will have to deal with and I accept that as my part in all this. I appreciate all the feed back from everyone and I agree fully go with integrity. I guess I just needed some encouragement that this is not the 'end of the world' especially since no patients have been harmed and no complications occurred which is ultimately the most important thing. Thank you

Thank you, nursemarion, for your advice. I was and still am afraid to admit to the doc's what happened, but now I feel like there is no other option but to admit what was missed. I feel very at fault for this and I do not want it to be viewed as me pointing the finger at the doctor who did the procedure. Ultimately, if I were to be fired, I would feel better for doing so with the truth than to hope I won't be caught and live with the 'what-ifs' until that time comes or does not come. I can handle being hawk-eyed. I value and love this job and would do anything to protect it and the institution because it's run by good people and staff. I know I am not alone in making this mistake but I can't help but feel like the biggest dummy on earth. Thank you all for the encouragement to do the right thing.

it is a permanent part of the chart, this particular paperwork comes as a handout that has up to five or six lines of pt/doctor signatures of this particular treatment so they sign a new line every time they come in for it. a nurse only has to witness the first consent to treatment and the subsequent lines are just pt signature and doctor. but like i said, we usually have the patient consent and then hand off the form so the doctor just needs to sign off. aside from the head doc calling the shots when it comes to employment, i work with him more often and he is a little more calm and collected. if this situation or a similar situation has happened to anyone you know or have heard of, how did they go about correcting it? sign it on the next visit or just inform the patients? i'm not sure what generally happens at this point.

Thank you for responding. I am usually good about admitting my mistakes but this is going to be difficult for me to do since I feel like my job is on the line. I am still in my probationary period so I'm even more nervous. I was planning on telling the head doc, not the one who did the procedure. I would be more comfortable telling him, what do you think? They won't both be working Monday. The head doc would be the one responsible for calling the shots on what happens to my job. The doc whos pts it was is also leaving the clinic to work elsewhere in 2 months. I just can't believe it. I feel terrible.

Hi allnurses, I have been a long time follower of the forums, but I come to you now for some advice regarding a mistake that was made during my shift 2 days ago. I did not even realize it at the time (I am a new nurse) I only became aware of it last night while I was in bed. I brought back 2 patients (mother and daughter - who was a minor) who were scheduled for the same procedure that requires a few injections. This was not their first treatment and while very safe, obviously has risks. Anyway, there is a consent that I did not need to sign, but the pt's mother did have to sign for herself and daughter and the physician was to sign after them. I am supposed to give it to the pt's while waiting for the MD but I totally forgot and I know the MD did not sign or remember it either. The injections were performed and everyone was fine as they left. I had never forgotten before this point. I have been riddled with anxiety, remorse, disbelief that I forgot, all the crummy and terrible feelings that go along with making a huge mistake. So I don't know what to do now, tell the doctor who runs the clinic on monday and hope to God he won't fire me (though I believe he will, this is huge) or not say anything and hope it goes unnoticed. Thanks everyone