Who has responsibility

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A problem at work the other day, want to know when responbility ends/begins. A nurse counted off the cart to me, gave me report at 7pm. Unbeknowest to me wrote order, got keys from another nurse, got med, gave to patient. DID NOT TELL ME AT ALL what she did. I was in the middle of passing meds when all this happened. Got to that particular patient, saw the order on MAR, 2 1/2 hours after she signed off to me, MAR was initialed, but sometimes when writing orders on MARs people initial off in error. Patient got ABT again. (oral) Now my question is 2 hours after your shift had ended...........do you assume that you have the right to give meds to another nurses' patients? And NOT tell her anything? No note in NN that 1st dose given, no order to replace to STAT box, nothing other than your initials in a box? Am I nuts or what?

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well if it was signed off i would say it was given and if i questioned it would call her at home

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How did you give the med without seeing the first dose signed off?

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

If I have recieved report and the keys I have the responsiblity of those residents. The nurse from the previous shift had better not be giving any meds without checking with me. I would be very upset if another nurse did what was done to you and I would be getting a plan of action together to prevent such an occurance from happening again.

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1st off the keys for the med cart are your responsibility once you have given report, counted, and signed off. If someone else gets those keys, passes meds, etc. then it is your fault for not keeping better track of your keys. However, I would NEVER give meds to someone if those meds have been signed off already. When something is already signed off then DO NOT give again and reinitial it. Don't assume and if in doubt call the person that did initial it in the 1st place.

I do see your point that the nurse should NOT have touched your cart once she had passed it on. I would report her, write her up and let it go from there. However, at this point you need to admit your guilt as well if a resident was double dosed. Double doseing someone can be fatal depending on what meds were given.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.

You are both responsible. And you need to work out a plan so this doesn't happen again.

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Thanks for all the replies, am having this looked into further. Apparently there was a third "instigator" nurse who actually initiated this mess, and she's the one who got someone else to let her into the STAT box, gave it to the girl who I relieved and told her to give the med. Apparently her "buds" at work are tired of her hanging people out to dry, and making good nurses quit, so they're "tatteling" on her. Also my attorney, who's a nurse, is checking with the board to see the criminal/civil liability.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I would NEVER give a med if it was initaled already...if I had a doubt, I'd call if I had to...if they don't call..I would rather be safe....

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Specializes in school RN, CNA Instructor, M/S.
You are both responsible. And you need to work out a plan so this doesn't happen again.

I have to agree with this idea. It sounds like there is very poor communication between the staff @ your facility and this could lead to a fatal error in the future!!!:down:

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm lost I think so you came in and took this cart and nurse a got a med out of backup for nurse b to give to a pt when it shouldve been given by you? When was the 1st dose due and what med was it? And I agree if she signed ifor it she documented there that she gave it . Call at home when in doubt.

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