Question for any and all...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2003

It's first up to the nurse to admit it was done.

Then we call the MD and report it to her/him. Depending on the error, we monitor and treat.

Then an medication incident report is filled out that goes to risk management, then back to the manager's to decide if there was a breakdown in process, and what can be learned about it.

The important thing is to look for the breakdown in process and not punish the one who makes the mistakes.

Med errors happen, and they should be a learning process.

Good luck on your project.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 27, 2003

Usually an occurence/variance report is filled out. That is the procedure where I work. If it's serious, obviously, everyone, including house supervisor, attending physician and manager get involved. Thank Gosh, it's rare.

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2003

Staff (unlicensed), reports to RN, RN decides if needed to be reported to MD. (If error done 2 days ago, what can MD do).

neneRN, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2003

Report to MD, monitor pt and if serious, follow orders as given.

Notify charge nurse or clinical supervisor.

Fill out med variation form which is forwarded to unit manager and risk management.

ainz · Aug 28, 2003

Generally the same as above.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Aug 28, 2003

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy
It's first up to the nurse to admit it was done.

Then we call the MD and report it to her/him. Depending on the error, we monitor and treat.

Then an medication incident report is filled out that goes to risk management, then back to the manager's to decide if there was a breakdown in process, and what can be learned about it.

Same as my hospital.....

Rapheal · Aug 28, 2003

Agree with above posters. It is also a good idea to chart the error but in a way that does not scream error but records that the nurse has addressed and is following the problem. An example could be if you gave say 2 tabs lopressor when you should have given one.

You could chart " 200 mg. PO lopressor given at 0900. Physician informed. Pt vitals 120/80 Resps 16, pulse 70 temp 98.0 oral. Denies any dizziness, SOB ect..ect.... " Per Dr. X, VS Q hour next 6 hours. Ect....ect.... This is just a short example.

Brownms46 · Aug 30, 2003

Originally posted by Shamrock
Staff (unlicensed), reports to RN, RN decides if needed to be reported to MD. (If error done 2 days ago, what can MD do).

Why would unlicensed staff be giving meds??? Do you work in AL...???

Where I have worked, error is reported to the CN, whether done by LPN or RN. Error is reported to MD by the nurse making the error. Pt is watched for adverse reactions, and or MD may give an orders Incident report is written by nurse making the error, and placed on NM desk/In Box. What happens after that depends on where you work.

jenac · Aug 30, 2003

At the facility where I work, it kind of depends on what the error was. If someone was given the wrong med, too much.etc. we have to notify the DON, MD and family-file a Med Error report, assessment and VS. Preferably the nurse making the error does this in this case, but if a med is missed-we notify the DON, and whoever catches it files the paperwork. The nurse who made the error is than "Counciled". Becomes a pain in the neck at times.