What if you know a doctor made a mistake?

[June1234]

Hello,

I am a neonatal nurse.

If I believe a doctor has made a mistake and has not shared this with the family, is there some place where I can anonymously report the doctor/incident?

thanks so much

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

Fill out an incident report and/or discuss it with your manager/supervisor. It is not your place or responsibility to notify the family, as this is potentially a lawsuit waiting to happen. It should be taken to through the proper channels as outlined in your facility's policies and procedures.

[mscsrjhm]

Fill out an incident report. The family may already have an attorney looking into possible damage. They don't have to prove that the medication caused the damage, just that it may have contributed.

A lawsuit on the child's behalf may not be filed for years.

I would keep a copy of the incident report (black out identifying data).

Does this Doctor have a history of idiocy?

Don't compromise your integrity. Nothing wrong with having a friend drop a dime anonymously from a payphone to the family, if you feel that is what is best for the child.

The child comes first.

I disagree that it is not your place to notify the family, if that is what you feel is right. Just because someone puts a policy on paper doesn't always make it ethically right. Sometimes, it all depends on the situation.

Policies and procedures are utilized at times to allow us to assuage our guilt- by giving us a way to pass the buck onto our so called superiors.

Do whatever is right for the child.