Will I go to jail?

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Acute Care.

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I made a colossal mistake yesterday.  After my first code blue yesterday, the doctor ordered 10 of morphine for my patient for comfort measures. I became so flustered I didn't even question the order. I gave it, but when I got home I realized I didn't even scan it. So it looks like I took out 10 mg of IV morphine and didn't even give it to the patient. I know I'm going to be losing my job after this and lose my nursing license. But will I go to jail as well? I've been having panic attacks since yesterday and I have no idea how to even approach this situation and explain it to higher ups. Really need some help

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Specializes in oncology.

OK, Calm down...how did you chart you gave it to the patient without scanning? I don't know your med system.

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Specializes in Acute Care.
7 minutes ago, londonflo said:

OK, Calm down...how did you chart you gave it to the patient without scanning? I don't know your med system.

I don't think it ended up in the chart anywhere because I only remembered I didn't scan it when I got home. We use Cerner. I've been freaking out 

 

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Specializes in oncology.

OK, Calm down...how did you chart you gave it to the patient without scanning? I don't know your med system.

Did you tell the nurse coming on?

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I didnot, I didn't realize this until I got home. Also the patient was booted off the system and all the meds were discontinued, so I havent said or done anything about it

 

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Specializes in oncology.

I am sorry. I don't know the best course of action. Best wishes...you will not go to jail. Did you check the Morphine out of the Pyxis?

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Yes I did take it out of the pyxis

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10 minutes ago, masutiraachu said:

I didnot, I didn't realize this until I got home. Also the patient was booted off the system and all the meds were discontinued, so I havent said or done anything about it

Email your manager, explain what happened, and ask her or him how to best proceed.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

This exact thing actually happened to me a few months ago with the same med and dose! I had to meet with HR and my manager, which at that point they escorted me to occupational health and I had to take a drug test (both urine and blood). They obviously came back clean, and I was written up. I did not lose my job or my license. I would reach out to your unit manager and explain what happened if it were me.

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Nurses must have moral courage.  This means doing the right thing, even if it's hard. 

Is panicking at home and intentionally hiding this from your manager the right thing? No.

Is contacting your manager and accepting responsibility for your actions the right thing? Yes. 

Trust me; 10 mg of "missing" morphine is going to be noticed.  The question is, do they find out from a pharm audit, in which case you look questionably suspicious, or do they find out from you? The sooner, the better! Just be honest and say I've been thinking about yesterday's case and having a hard time processing it, and I'm pretty sure I forgot to scan a med. Can you check for me? Then go from there.

You might or might not be fired. You might or might not be reported to the Board. If this is a first time mistake, you might just get written up or assigned some training.

Forgetting to scan a medication in a highly intense moment after your first code isn't criminal. It's a med error. It's not a med error that harmed a patient. You weren't caught diverting.  Why would you go to jail?

Was the doctor still at the bedside when you gave the med? Or was anyone? It is unlikely immediately after a resuscitation effort that your patient's room was completely empty within moments.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.
On 6/14/2021 at 5:11 AM, masutiraachu said:

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 But will I go to jail as well? 

Off course you're not going to jail. But the fact you and many others have these fears is symptomatic of a system that is broken. Aren't nurses the most trusted professionals? Why should they be so fearful? It's because they work under extreme pressure and oppression.

Does anyone see the absurdity of this situation. We created a system so oppressive to nurses; they are afraid they will go to jail!???? Afraid to talk to their bosses fearing being fired. This is disgusting. Who should go to jail are these rich fat frog individuals who transformed health care into a money making machine and do nothing to the well being of tax paying population they exploit, and don't even pay their taxes.

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Specializes in CCRN, CPAN.

Just call your manager and pharmacy and find out what to do to get it documented. It's an honest mistake that happens. I can't imagine you would even get into trouble for that.

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