Would you or wouldn't you?

[White Shoes]

This may seem like a petty issue, but....

My neighbor just called while I was napping.. so I will be calling her back. Her grandma is in from another state and needs her B-12 shot. They want to know if I will come over and give it.

I do not feel comfortable doing invasive proceedures out side of my work facility, nor without a physcians' order. For one thing, if something goes wrong (the minute chance of an abcess, etc...) I could be held responsible.

I am not comfortable with this, but my husband thinks I am over concerned. "It's just a B-12 shot, afterall!"

I can't believe that after 24 years of nursing, this is the first time I have had to deal with being asked to give a shot outside of my work facility!

What would you do?

White Shoes

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Nope - wouldn't do it. However, I would try to refer them to a legitimate source of assistance.

[leslie :-D]

i would not do it either, esp for a casual acquaintance.

chances are she gets these injections on a monthly basis.

she can wait until she sees her pcp, or your neighbor can make other arrangements.

your neighbor should call the pcps' office, and see what they say.

leslie

[moonchild20002000]

I would not give the B-12 for liability reasons.

I also think its pretty inconsiderate for your neighbor to even ask!

[White Shoes]

Well, thanks everyone for your input.

Here's what I did. Just before I left for work, I called my neighbor. She wasn't home but gramma was. I told her that I was sorry, but for legal reasons I limit myself to only life threatening emergencies as far as giving shots outside of the work environment. She was pretty understanding, and said she hadn't ever thought of that before.

Three things had bothered me. One was the potential (although slim) for complications that I could later be held liable for.

The second one is that we know many of the people in our little village. I didn't want word to get out that I would do this or any other injections for other people. I know from experience how easy it is for people to assume I will meet their medical needs if I don't put my foot down. I don't mind checking a bp occasionally, but I definitly do not want to be doing invasive proceedures.

Third, I just had a real bad feeling about it. Usually when I feel this uncomfortable about something, it turns out that I should go by my gut feeling. So, I just breathed a little prayer that my neighbor wouldn't get too bent out of shape and said no.

I'm glad I asked here, too. At least I know I am not the only one who feels uncomfortable about this sort of thing. Thanks for sharing all of your feelings about this.

White Shoes

[tridil2000, MSN, RN]

I wouldn't give it either. I gave my daughter sq injections, but no way would I give it to the neighbour's grandma. You don't even know her personally. I'd just say I am not comfortable doing that out of my work setting. If she has a script, then they can take her to a walk in clinic. If you were a plumber , would they ask you to just quick unclog their toilet or an accountant to just quick do the 1040 EZ for their college student. I don't think so.

:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

LOVE LOVE LOVE this reply!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think you made the right choice for yourself - I wouldn't do it either.

steph

[grinnurse, RN]

It it were a very close friend or family member, I'd do it. Anyone else, no.

Ditto

[Guest717236]

You made the right decision-its up to the treating physician

to give Grandma options. VNA, office visit, or if she is in a small

town maybe his office nurse could do a home visit if Grandma

is unable to travel.

[sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have her take it to an urgent care center and have the nurse call her doc back home and get a TO.

[ONSnrs]

I wouldn't give it either. I gave my daughter sq injections, but no way would I give it to the neighbour's grandma. You don't even know

her

personally. I'd just say I am not comfortable doing that out of my work setting. If she has a script, then they can take her to a walk in clinic. If you were a plumber , would they ask you to just quick unclog their toilet or an accountant to just quick do the 1040 EZ for their college student. I don't think so.

Oh so true, besides being a nurse I am also a licensed massage therapist, I cannot tell you the number of times people ask me for quick freebie shoulder rubs the same thing. It is as though people expect it from these fields of work, but somehow put a different value on others, I don't get it.

Oh yes, my answer would be a resounding no, I would only do it if it were a immediate family member.

[2more]

I have worked as a private duty nurse (self employed) to a 8 month old infant with cardiac problems. You have to consider a few things, like others have said, you need to be in your comfort zone, should have a trusting relationship, and most of all carry your own private malpractice insurance that would cover you if there is a problem. If you do give it then make sure somewhere that you keep a note of what you gave the lot #, where, who, when and any pt teaching. This will cover you in court if need be.

When my job with the infant ended, I gave a copy of my notes to the parents, the originals are in a safe deposit box for safe keeping and in keeping with the law, I will keep them for 7 years after the child turns 21.

obviously if you give the shot, you would not keep it that long.

[hospitalstaph]

I wouldn't give it either. I gave my daughter sq injections, but no way would I give it to the neighbour's grandma. You don't even know her personally. I'd just say I am not comfortable doing that out of my work setting. If she has a script, then they can take her to a walk in clinic. If you were a plumber , would they ask you to just quick unclog their toilet or an accountant to just quick do the 1040 EZ for their college student. I don't think so.

Actually people do ask their neighbor the plumber for help all the time. But just as in this case, they can and do say no.

T