Sweeping med errors under the rug

[dawnall]

I work at a nursing home. Over the last 8 months or so, I have turned in approx 15 med errors from the same nurse to my Unit Supervisor. A few of these had a potential for serious injury or death. Nothing has been done about this nurse. I have gotten excuses from the higher ups. I was brought into the office and given a lecture about comraderie. Then I knew I was on the chopping block. The very next week I was called in for not giving a patient her meds. (I documented that she was punching and fighting.) I refused to sign the write up. The DON is friends with this certain nurse who I'm afraid will kill someone. I'm looking for a new job and I know I need to tell a state person, but I'm a single mom who has to work. I can't do anything until I'm out of there, but I feel like I'm tearing apart my ethics and integrity every shift I work. Ideas??

[deefizzle]

dawnall, I just want to say that your concern for your patients and your commitment to ethical nursing practice is commendable. I don't know why so many people are making this seem like a negative thing and are assuming it's some kind of reflection on YOU, but I feel you are doing the right thing by reporting any type of med error that has potential for injury. Good for you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

dawnall, I just want to say that your concern for your patients and your commitment to ethical nursing practice is commendable. I don't know why so many people are making this seem like a negative thing and are assuming it's some kind of reflection on YOU, but I feel you are doing the right thing by reporting any type of med error that has potential for injury. Good for you.

No one is objecting to the reporting of errors that could have led to injury. What I find objectionable is that she's blanketed her colleague with reports of medications errors, and states that only a few had a potential for serious injury. it makes it seem as if she's being nitpicky, trying to get her colleague into trouble.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I think that is a lot of medication errors in a short amount of time. I think for whatever reason they do want to get rid of this nurse. While I know it is not your business to know what actions are being taken after you report it, I also know that management can ease your concern by at least informing you that action is being taken to improve the situation. If they think you are being overly concerned then they need to tell you that exactly. If you say that these medication errors were serious then they have a reason not to do anything. Perhaps it is a staffing issue or perhaps this nurse and the DON are friends.

I believe you and they probably are downplaying the errors. Now you must decide if you can continue to work at a place with such low standards and if you can and should keep quite about medication errors. If I was certain this was occurring and management was of no help then I would bypass management and report the errors and their lack of providing remediation. I would only do this after I secured another job. You can report the nurse to your state's BRN or you governing body. Just beware because now you have a target on your back and you must be careful with any further steps you take to protect your interests.