Sticky situation

Specialties School

Published

I have a bit of a situation today. Please remember, I have been at this job only since Feb 1.

Today when I went to get a student's medication (liquid quillivant) I found that the bottle had broken. I found this out when I went to shake it before drawing into a syringe. So it went all over my hand, the bottle, the counter and it was spilled in the plastic pencil box I store it in (and the broken piece of bottle was in there also).

So I finished with the students who were present (about 6 of them all come for their meds at the same time) and called my supervisor at another building immediately. Told her what happened, she said to get an administrator to see the spill and observe the clean up, so I did and rinsed out the bottle the best I could through the small broken area.

Called the mom, who took it surprisingly well. I really thought there would be a big backlash since I know it is expensive (she told me it was $300/bottle).

I documented what happened and called the certified school nurse who oversees my building and explained the situation to her. I told her that I am really nervous about this since I just started and have not had time to establish myself as a responsible employee and then a controlled substance spills on my watch. She was very reassuring that I am doing a great job and she doesn't think there will be any disciplinary action, but I am still a bit worried about it :(

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You did exactly the right thing on all points. Mistakes happen, you know that.

The mom is sounding very reasonable. Try to let it go.

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You did exactly the right thing on all points. Mistakes happen, you know that.

The mom is sounding very reasonable. Try to let it go.

Letting things go is not my strong suit.

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Wouldn't let me edit my previous post to add: But I'm gonna try.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Letting things go is not my strong suit.

"STOP IT!"

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

kidz- I hear your concerned tone. Sounds like you covered your butt. This is one of those situations of Shtuff happens. Hang in there. Glad you could spell all this out to you. Hope your day goes tomorrow. (((((kidz)))))

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You did all you could do. Things happen. You documented, called your supervisors and called the parents. You can't control what happens but it sounds like you did everything right.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

You did everything right, will probably not hear of it again.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

There's no reason why you would be held responsible for a broken medication bottle unless there was evidence you broke it on purpose! Breaks happen!

I'd be more worried about having the medication all over my hand...

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

You're lucky the mom is being so cool! Some parents are the pits.

You did everything right. These things happen. I think problems seem a lot bigger when you're first starting out. Now, if you had taken the med and started randomly dosing other kids, the principal and yourself... that would be a different story. You did great!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
You're lucky the mom is being so cool! Some parents are the pits.

Now, if you had taken the med and started randomly dosing other kids, the principal and yourself... that would be a different story. You did great!

Would definitely make a first impression.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

You probably shouldn't have turned the box up, drank the liquid, then licked your arm clean, though. Seriously, kidzcare.

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