Student nurse gave IV pot, patient died.

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Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.

Anyone read/heard the story about the 3rd year student nurse who gave IV pot to a patient, patient died.

Seemingly, she drew up the drug with a sister, sister was called away so student gave the patient the pot undiluted IV.

The mind boggles, what was she thinking of? Press are slating nurse education.

Hospital involved was Whiston Hospital, Liverpool. Patients daughter was an anathetist who works at that hospital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...de/7664404.stm

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Really surprised as I remember an incident once where I worked although patient didn't die and all pot was removed from the wards and if not already mixed in pre bags had to be done by the pharmacy.

What an awful thing to happen to all involved

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

OMG how on earth did that happen it is beyond comprehension. Since when were students allowed to give IV's

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Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.

Students are never allowed to give IV drugs. Staff nurses have to do an IV course before they are allowed to give IV drugs.

I also cannot comprehend how this situation happened.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I didn't have to go on a course as such did a 1/2 day training on dummies and then had to do x amount supervised and that was it. When I moved hospitals I had one person (night sister) check once and again that was it

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

Having just qualified, I can say for a certainty that students are not allowed to have much, if anything, to do with IVs. I was allowed to check the rate for my patients, and I was allowed to get the fluids ready and set them up (which was totally under the discretion of the nurse I was working alongside) BUT ONLY WITH THE NURSE SUPERVISING AT ALL TIMES.

Third year or not, what student would actually take an IV med and go administer it?!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

we were allowed to give IV meds our second year, BUT we also had it drilled into our brains from day one IV Pot is a NO NO! we took a week long IV class inbetween yr 1 & 2 as well

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Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.

In the UK student nurses do not give IV drugs at all.

Cannot imagine what this student nurse was thinking of.

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Why was there even super concentrated KCl on the floor anyway??

Over here.... it is recommended not to have concentrated forms on the floors....

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okay, I got down to about the seventh post before I figured out you weren't talking about marijuana

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We have had it drilled into us that we dont even touch IV drugs. We can look at the IV site, remove canulas and look at the bags but DONT touch!!!

Im only in my first year but on my first placement i was asked to remove a canula and insert a new one. I was supervised to remove the canula but i refused to insert a new one as i knew that i wasnt allowed-the nurse with me got all huffy with me because i said no.

The student should have known what their limits were and refused to give the drug-They should have waited for the nurse to return before even attempting to give drugs-My mentor left me holding a pot of drugs whilst she answered the phone and i waited for her to return before giving them to the patient.

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Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.

Chixie, who on earth asked you to cannulate a patient? Did you report them?

What is going on?

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