Syringe Disaster

Sorry you have been having a rough time.

We have all had situations where we wish we would have done something differently. You know what the right thing would have been here; it didn't get done and there's no use letting it eat you alive at this point. Just always go with what you know is right no matter who says what. A charge nurse certainly has no authority to give the advice she gave.

14 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

I am seriously considering resigning even if I'm able to re-stabilize on medication. I don't want to be a danger to patients or become someone who doesn't own up to my mistakes.

Just take care of yourself right now. You are a good person and you know what's right.

You are doing the right things and I hope you begin to feel better ASAP. ?

Thank you so much for your reply @JKL33. You are very encouraging 

Please take care of yourself now. I do find it odd that a surgeon would want heparin given to a patient prior to surgery. In my past work on evenings, we usually held it if surgery was the next morning. 

I have had things swirl around in my head for days, when I wished I could of done something different or done better. Take care, you did the best you could. 

Just take time off, eat healthy, relax, take walks, and let your meds kick in. (((Hugs)))

2 hours ago, londonflo said:

I have had things swirl around in my head for days, when I wished I could of done something different or done better.

Ahh I am sorry that has happened to you! It's a terrible feeling. I also thought it was weird to give heparin right before surgery, and the anesthesiologist didn't want it given. If I had been more with it I might have questioned the order, but I could barely remember where I was. My friend said maybe it's good he didn't get the whole dose. But I still have it on my conscience that I made an error and didn't report it. I will try to do as @Emergent suggested, walking and waiting for the meds to work, eating salad and no skittles or starbursts allowed! LOL thank you all so much for your advice 

2 minutes ago, Nurse Beth said:

I hope you are feeling better and I have a question...I know you are concerned about reporting the leaked heparin, but did you see the surgeon's order to give it?

Good question! Yes I did see it. Even though I was out of it and I now realize I should have gone home, I did do my 5 rights. And I had another nurse double check because I knew I couldn't trust myself that day. In my current headspace I would have asked why we were giving heparin right before surgery. At the time I was in a really bad place and even kept seeing a man who I know wasn't there in the corner of different patients' rooms. I'm feeling much better even after just 2 days off and back on medication, but I know it will be a process. 

Do you also think it was a strange order? 

6 minutes ago, Nurse Beth said:

I just googled it really quick and saw a 2015 study that said 5000 units pre-op did not increase significant post-op bleeding.

Interesting! I also found a study saying it's effective in preventing DVTs and PEs in high risk surgical patients but it seemed focused on patients having major surgeries. This patient was having ORIF of the wrist. It was also confusing because he didn't have a clotting disorder. The thing that made him possibly higher risk for clots was that in Jan he went to urgent care for what looked like phlebitis of a hand vein that came out of nowhere. The ultrasound was negative for any clots and all labs normal. 

While he was in surgery I looked all that up. I saw he wasn't prescribed to go home with anything to prevent clots. Maybe he didn't really need the pre-op heparin, but I'm not a doctor and shouldn't make those decisions. If I have a question about a doctor's order I can ask, and if I don't carry out the order correctly I need to report it. I am just glad to be thinking somewhat clearly again. If anyone has experienced feeling disoriented or psychosis, it is horrible, and especially at work. I won't be going back until I and a psychiatrist feel it's safe, because on top of heparin I need to be able to safely administer narcotics and monitor patients with airways, etc.

15 minutes ago, Nurse Beth said:

Best wishes, my friend

Thank you for your kindness ?

I think you've already gotten some good feedback and hope you are less concerned about what happened.

I just wanted to add that I am very happy to hear that you prioritized your health to make sure you get the help that you need. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do right now and I wish you all the best in feeling better soon. 

Edited to add that recently I've found more syringes where the needle connection is loose. I've gotten into the habit of hand tightening every syringe needle when I first open the package and before I draw up any medication because I had a similar thing happen.