I am not a nurse, but my wife is. As resourse, she had to audit a drug dispensing cart. A opiate controlled drug was found to be off in count. After calling suspected nurse,
who originally said it was wasted and forgot 2nd witness,
admitted that it was taken and dispensed off premise.
She informed supervisor of problem.
She feels bad about turning in worker with many years service.
How can I help her feel better about her actions..?
She did the absolutely correct thing to do. Nurses need to have zero tolerance of other nurses engaging in unprofessional conduct. "dispensed off premises"? like what, consumed it? Sold it? That nurse needs help- there is a good chance she will be forced to seek it out now.
We have created an environment of looking the other way- this does our fellow nurses and the profession as a whole a huge disservice.
Don't know is she will feel better now- but she did what she had to do, she did the right thing.
Nurse spoke of taking drug from hospital and giving it to someone else who has problems. Upon further audit, hospital has found many more entries where drugs "errors" have been
documented on offending nurses schedule. Drugs include
methadone, morphine....
My wife feels real bad that she has possibly ruined someones
life. Hospital talks about felonious diversion.
Your wife didn't ruin anybody's life the person taking the drugs ruined their own. Maybe your wife saved someones life maybe that person will get help and at least now won't have open access to drugs.
I had an instance where the count came up missing and I understand why the nurse reported it but I in no way was responcible for the drug I did not take it nor did I give a double dose of the drug. The drug was popped out of it's blister pack and I signed 2 different sheets for the drug. I signed the second sheet during the count. What happened to that pill I have no idea. I have seen them get accidently popped out and were later found on the floor or in the drawer. What I do suggest is that you make sure you are pointing the finger at the right person as a real addict is very sneaky and desperate. Nursing is a very dangerous place to be working. and no matter how much you think you are protected you can still be caught up in this devestating arena.
