suspended for signing an 8pm med on MAR at 5pm in error

LPN1974, LPN · Dec 10, 2004

Hi this is my first time ever posting on a nursing forum. I was called to the DON office at 5:30pm tonight by the QA director and she suspended me for accidently signing in error an 8pm medication at 5pm. I did not give the 8pm med and didn't realize the error. I was told to clock out and go home. I was allowed to write a statement in my defence. One hour prior to this my unit manager came to me ( He is an LPN with 1 year exp. I have 7 years exp.) and stated that MAR's would be checked to see if meds were being signed off early. The QA pretty much runs the nursing home and I know I was set up because I was not allowed to see the error and the QA stated that the Pt was not able to tell her if she received her medication earlier than ordered. This pt is alert and oriented x3 and would know if she received a medication at the wrong time. The QA stated that the meds would be counted in the drawer ( we receive a 1 month supply for each resident ) and I told her to count them and do labs if she wanted because I was innocent. I have worked at this facility almost 4 years and never have been in trouble before. I would appreciate any advice on how to handle this. I have put this in God's hands. Please pray for me that this all turns out okay. Thank You.

OMG, I think you were set up, too. That is really horrible, in my opinion, to send you home for such a minor mistake.

Signing off an 8PM at 5PM can be so easy. That is really bad they won't let you even see the error.

Something sounds awfully suspicious to me. Apparently that was the ONLY one they found, {I'm not saying you did it} but if you'd done the whole MAR early that would be a different story.

Something's not right with this. I'll be interested to see how this turns out. Please keep me posted.

And my prayers ARE with you.

VirginiaLPN97 · Dec 10, 2004

Thank You LPN1974. I truly appreciate your prayers and will keep you informed of the outcome. I was working 11-7 shift which I loved until January of this year. I was driving to work and a man hit me at over a 100mph and he went home without stopping. He totaled my truck broke my drivers seat from the impact and I hung in there until May when due to health conditions had to take medical leave. Well to make a long story short the company was sold I had to return to work for my health insurance benefits and had no choice but to accept the open 3-11 position. I had left 3-11 shift before due to this QA director and how she treats people. It doesn't help that she married & is involved in a relationship with the Medical director who is also married. I have come to the decision that I would rather lose my health benefits than my nursing license. I truly love my patients and enjoy taking care of them but I think after this is resolved I really need to look for another job. Thank you again for your prayers.

aj121 · Dec 10, 2004

Hi this is my first time ever posting on a nursing forum. I was called to the DON office at 5:30pm tonight by the QA director and she suspended me for accidently signing in error an 8pm medication at 5pm. I did not give the 8pm med and didn't realize the error. I was told to clock out and go home. I was allowed to write a statement in my defence. One hour prior to this my unit manager came to me ( He is an LPN with 1 year exp. I have 7 years exp.) and stated that MAR's would be checked to see if meds were being signed off early. The QA pretty much runs the nursing home and I know I was set up because I was not allowed to see the error and the QA stated that the Pt was not able to tell her if she received her medication earlier than ordered. This pt is alert and oriented x3 and would know if she received a medication at the wrong time. The QA stated that the meds would be counted in the drawer ( we receive a 1 month supply for each resident ) and I told her to count them and do labs if she wanted because I was innocent. I have worked at this facility almost 4 years and never have been in trouble before. I would appreciate any advice on how to handle this. I have put this in God's hands. Please pray for me that this all turns out okay. Thank You.

I understand how you feel, it seems that the nursing homes go after the ones that are doing their job effectively instead of those who slack off. In your case, they will eventually see that they have made a mistake although they will never admit it. If there is a grievance, you needto take it up the chain of command, check your policy for accidentally signing out the incorrect time for medications. There are nurses who feel to get ahead, that they give the 8m meds along with the 5 pm meds. if you get no satisfactory solution from your DON, go to the administrator, they have three days in which to give you the results from the investigation. If your administrator does not comply, then you have the right to go to the corporate office to file your grievances. Depending on the state in which you reside, find out for sure if they can suspend you from the office that provides your license and have them send you a copy of the regs so that you have proof from the state....then I would find a good attorney in case they decide to terminiate without justifable reason. Hope this helps

VirginiaLPN97 · Dec 10, 2004

Thank You for your very helpful advice.

akcarmean, LPN · Dec 10, 2004

VirginiaLpn97 I am so sorry for what you are going through. It is very easy to mark off on the wrong time. Not a good reason to suspend you for I would follow the advice from the posts above me. I will keep you in my prayers and please keep us posted.

Angie

VirginiaLPN97 · Dec 10, 2004

Thank You Angie. I will keep you posted.

proudmommielpn · Dec 10, 2004

I too was suspended in LTC for something stupid!!! I am sorry for what you are going through!! Keep us posted. I was suspended because I left for about 30 minutes one day (I used my lunch time) to run home, family emergency came up and I had to take care of it ASAP. I counted off with my Supervisor, gave her the NARC keys, told her I would be back ASAP and left. I got back and the Asst Administrator called me to her office and suspended me for what she said was abandoning my job. The administrator and DON was out of the facility at Medicare meetings for 2 days at the time and the Asst tries to show her authority every time they are gone. She suspended me for 3 days over it. I was only gone 25 minutes in total. I am allowed 30 minutes. I talked with the DON and Administrator when they returned and guess who got suspended for 3 days? MMMMMMMM can we say the Asst? I loved it!!! They backed up, paid me for the three days and tore up my suspension. :) :chuckle :roll The assistant didn't speak to me for about a week after that but hey, I stood my ground. That is exactly what you need to do also. Please keep us posted!!!!!!!

LPN1974, LPN · Dec 10, 2004

I too was suspended in LTC for something stupid!!! I am sorry for what you are going through!! Keep us posted. I was suspended because I left for about 30 minutes one day (I used my lunch time) to run home, family emergency came up and I had to take care of it ASAP. I counted off with my Supervisor, gave her the NARC keys, told her I would be back ASAP and left. I got back and the Asst Administrator called me to her office and suspended me for what she said was abandoning my job. The administrator and DON was out of the facility at Medicare meetings for 2 days at the time and the Asst tries to show her authority every time they are gone. She suspended me for 3 days over it. I was only gone 25 minutes in total. I am allowed 30 minutes. I talked with the DON and Administrator when they returned and guess who got suspended for 3 days? MMMMMMMM can we say the Asst? I loved it!!! They backed up, paid me for the three days and tore up my suspension. :) :chuckle :roll The assistant didn't speak to me for about a week after that but hey, I stood my ground. That is exactly what you need to do also. Please keep us posted!!!!!!!

This was funny! I love it when a supervisor who tries to give other people a hard time gets the tables turned on them for once!

I figure she was probably too embarrassed to speak to you for the next week. Well, maybe she won't try anything like that again. :rotfl:

tiroka03, LPN · Dec 10, 2004

I have to agree with the other posters who say it is so easy to acciendtly sign off a med early. It doesn't happen often to me, but I usually catch it when I go to sign it off after I have given it.

It would be different if everyday you came into work and signed off all your meds before you started your med pass. But a one time accident, this is ridiculus, even computers make mistakes.

I for one am sooo tired of people who hunt down innocent people, if the tables were turned and they were written up for stupid things, they would be fighting like wild animals.

proudmommielpn · Dec 10, 2004

so true so true walkmygardenpath!

webblarsk · Dec 10, 2004

So sorry they are giving you a hard time. I to have worked LTC and know how easy it is to accidently sign off on the wrong time or place.

I know when I have a problem I never feel any better until I get it resolved or talked through. Can you ask to see the med sheet and explain why you are getting the suspension? Maybe if you hold your ground and ask questions the QA nurse will back down. Is there anyone else you can talk to or report this incident to? I certainly wouldn't let them get away with it!

Good luck to you. Keep your chin up and don't let them pick on you! Good nurses are needed everywhere!:)