The thing about errors is that they don't happen in isolation. There
are plenty of other factors that could play a role in this incident.
Things like staffing, communication, equipment, stress, orientation,
etc. Many staff members could have almost done the same thing and
didn't speak up prior to this, possibly preventing harm. One thing I
suggest is to work with your hospital educators and quality department
to take a look at how this really happened (not blaming), and what can
be done to prevent it from happening again. Teach people about your
incident, this will give you self confidence, the power to change
practice, and prevent others from making the same mistake. You are not
inadequate just human. :)




--- In mpoweryournurses@yahoogroups.com, CAROL ROGERS PITULA
<cpitula@...> wrote:
>
> Stop beating yourself up - you are human like the rest of us! What did
you learn from the mistake? Take a time out before you do certain
things, maybe? See attachment re moving on after a mistake.
> psychnursecarol
>
> mothership_2006 mothership_2006@... wrote:
> Am a new ICU sister, was called by a staff nurse to connect fresubin
> to a nasa gastric tube. I connected it to an IV line, fortunately for
> me the patient had been already declared dead, and we were waiting for
> the families permission to switch off the vent. I have had my hearing
> and have been punished, am still working in the same ICU. My question
> is, I am an outstanding nurse and love my work, am extra, extra
> careful with meds, spend time evaluating myself, belong to many web
> sites, spending time updating my knowledge. Am so scared to do
> anything! Even evaluate a patient. My inadequacy shows!
> Everyone is supportive, management, unit manager and co-workers and I
> just am missing life and am battling to come back.
>