Ugh, regret!

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I'm not sure what the problem is. We often sent pts to other hospitals for tests and will send meds with them. Sinemet is not a drug you want missed - I assume you sent a copy of his MAR and other records with him?

It sounds like this man knows his drugs, and knows that he needs to take them on time. I am sure that he will tell the people doing his procedure that his med is due and he is going to take it.

I think you did the correct thing.

one last thought - if you didn't send the med and he did need it, the people doing the procedue would have to take time to contact an MD to get the order for the meds, order the meds and then give it. this would be a lot of extra work for them.

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

That's interesting, Pepper. When I was talking to one of the LPNs on my floor this morning I mentioned the meds I did give to him before he left. I didn't give later than 8am meds or give/send anything else along other than the sinemet or seroquel (1) because the res. only requested these two and (2) I didn't feel comfortable passing 9am-11am meds at 6am. However, the nurse I spoke with told me that she once gave all the man's afternoon meds in the morning for an appt. he had at 11am.

I am also not sure if the res. had an order to take meds with him. I just feel so unsure of the whole thing. I have no idea how long he's even expected to be out today. I hope everything turns out okay and I don't get into deep doo-doo.

I'm assuming this might also turn into a resident's rights issue if he requested to take certain meds with him??

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I see no problem at all in what you did. Pt seems to be A/O enough to handle his own meds--pts have rights to have thier meds and if he was cognitive enough to know to request them if things ran late (and they always do) by all means he has the right to stay on sched with his sinemet..

If your not doing what is best for your pts due to the potential "wrath" of the DON ---that is a clue to be looking for a different job!

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

sounds to me like you did the right thing. you were thinking of your patients welfare in advance. i commend you for your initiative in doing so !

prasier :heartbeat

ktwlpn, LPN · Jan 21, 2009

This morning I've felt like I've made the worst decision in my short (8 months out of school) career thusfar. I had a resident (I work in LTC) go out for a simple surgery this morning to replace batteries in a kind of neurostimulator system he has implanted to control his Parkinson's Sx. I gave him his Sinemet a bit early along with a seroquel to keep him calm. He asked me if he could take a dose of sinemet and a seroquel with him in case he got delayed to or from the surgery. STUPIDLY I put them in a small crush packet for him and let he and his wife go.
I hate the feeling I have right now. I feel as if I was trying to do the right thing, but didn't think things out first. I was in a big rush this morning to get him settled and out the door, which is no excuse in the end. I am praying that this situation just slides. I keep having this ominous feeling that my ADON will find out about it and chew me out. Her wrath is something I just don't think I could face.
I have never done anything like this before, and have never felt so stupid and so much regret.
Thanks for letting me vent. I know at the end of the day this resident won't be dead or seriously harmed, but it is just really getting to me right now.

Check your facilities policy and procedures-in mine nurses are NOT to directly dispense meds for any reason.We are to notify the pharmacy of the need for pass meds (72 hour notice) even if it's a dose of ex -strength tylenol for a resident going out to dinner with the family...Many, many times many staff members have violated this P and P because we believed it was to the residents benefit.However the regulation is federal ( I think-I'll have to look it up-pharmacists do NOT want nurses to have the power to dispense) In your situation I would have assured the patient that the hospital staff would administer his meds per the transfer sheet when appropriate. However your actions did not causes harm-you are a professional so if you are counseled by your ADON accept responsibilty and assure her/him that you will familiarize yourself with those p and p's... You post about her "wrath" and "getting chewed out" Is she so un-professional? if so-feel free to call her on it if it happens.We are all adults and should be treated respectfully.I won't stand for being screamed at like I'm 13 yrs old-no one should,IMHO...Stop fretting-learn from this and move on (repeat over and over PRN)

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Thank you to everyone for your advice and support, it has truly calmed me down. I will check my facility's p+p regardless of what happens, and use this as a learning experience.

In terms of my ADON, she seems to be very two-faced. I can do all the right things in the world and be her "angel," and if something holds me up at night (usually holding me back from completing paperwork like summaries, assessments, editing, etc.) she gives me a look like "why couldn't you get this done, you're on 11-7 after all." She has told me that she is a ***** right to my face, and has no tolerance for people's BS. It's the last thing I want to deal with at this point in time.

I am trying to make it approximately to the one year mark of working before I find another job. This is definitely the kind of facility that can't hold onto staff, and I'm just another one that they will lose eventually. I'm thankful I have a job at this point in time, since I can't seem to find what I want in hospitals right now (med surg!).

We'll see what happens. I haven't received a phone call so he's either back no problem, or hasn't returned yet. There is always a chance of having a note left for me though...