thatnurse17

As far as documentation, everything is electronic. Everyone had been giving double the prescribed dose until i floated over there and found it. I luckily didn't make the error as i noticed the discrepancy when pulling the pts meds. Theywere documenting the correct dose but signing out and administering double. I havent seen a lot of reporting of errors so im not sure what the corrective action will be. I know that another nurse was fired after making a series of significant mistakes, but they didnt reallh have a choice in the matter. It was glaringly apparent that her practices were dangerous. As far as retaliation, it horrifies me to even consider the possibility of another nurse setting me up. Thats just not right.

Also, to my knowledge , there is no mandatory monthly pharmacy check done. Pharmacy has come and done an audit of the carts twice since I have been there. Its considered night shifts job to audit the carts but it Just doesnt get done.

Thanks for your responses and for for listening.i really hope that the situation will be over and done with before i return for my next shift. I know that the nurses who made the error are angry and I do feel bad for any consequences they receive as a result of this but that doesn't negate my ethical responsibility. An error was made. The appropriate protocol was followed. It should really just be that simple. As far as notifying the board of pharmacy or BON, i dont feel its my responsibility to do so. I filled out the appropriate reports, Dr., family and patient were notified, the reports were sent to management. As far as I know, thats where my role in the process ends. Management has their own protocol as far as repoting, Quality improvement, etc. Is it really my place to notify boards?

Hi.this is my first time posting as I generally kisg browse this site. I actually became a member so that I could seek some advice. Please, nurses, share your infinite wisdom with me! I have been a nurse for nearly 7 years. Within the last year I took a position at a small rehab/ LTC facility. It seems that there is this strange, unspoken policy of "hiding" issues. Be it New wounds, change in condition, med error, whatever- most everyone seems comfortable with sweeping issues under-the- rug. This inevitably results in a mountain of paperwork and multitude of phone calls/order changes/ incident reports nearly every time i work (for issues occuring on other shifts) . Whenever there is an issue, it seems its ignored until a 'float nurse' stumbles upon it and adresses it. The last shift I worked was on a unit. And shift I had not worked on in quite some time. As I was pulling meds for a pt, I noticed that the correct dosage of a med (narcotic) was unavailable . Upon further investigation I discovered that the pt. Had been receiving double the prescribed dosage for several weeks. I wrote up the med error, obtained correct dose and carried on with my shift. Later, i was informed by coworkers that i shouldn't have documented this med error as "no harm was done' as the nurses who gave the incorrect dose could" be in big trouble! ". I honestly feel as though I did the only thing I could in my position. Although, admittedly, .the patient did not suffer any ill-effects, an error was made ( not just once but for weeks). The patient is fine, but that does not negate the error made. Also, selfish as it may sound, I have a license to protect. I would have undeniable liability had I not reported the issue- it was obvious i noted the discrepancy and began the administration of correct dosage. Im not really sure what im looking for here except maybe some validation that I did the right thing (despite the anger ive inspired in many of my co-workers