Inpatient pharmacists: How crazy in politics at your workplace?

[UGAZ]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just want to share this crazy story about my workplace. It is true 100%. I am not making anything up.

At my place, we have a pharmacist who has been working there for nearly 27 years, having the most seniority above us. She is also in charge of med error reports and med safety meeting, pretty much she has been the main person running at this small hospital (145 beds with average census 80 patients a day). Anyway, one day, she worked as a staff pharmacist (which she hates). She verified a baby TPN and made a crazy error in it when transcribing into CAPS. She mistakenly entered as grams/L instead of meq/L. The protocol at my place is having 2 pharmacists checking baby TPN. She verified it , then there was another Rph (say B) checked it. This person also screwed up, approved it and Caps screwed up also, sent the TPN here. When the TPN arrived here, nurse found out and wrote an incident report. I and another pharmacist (say C) had to call Dr for an IV fluid because too late for CAPS to mix and deliver second round . The next day, I showed her the error she made.

Then a few days later, my director asked me what went on with that. I reported the whole situation. Today, I found out from someone that she reported me as the pharmacist who verified the order and the pharmacist C was the second verifying pharmacist. What a crazy azz bit%^%. My blood was boiling.

Btw, I also happened to find out she reports almost everyone at work from tech to pharmacists, except for herself and her wing partner pharmacist. Her record is clean, 0 errors. So wonderful!

Crazy backstabbing, coward pharmacist.

 

[Abby Atwood]

Is it the sort of situation where you could approach her and state that you did not verify the order or talk to people higher up about the fact that you did not verify the order so that you can correct the reports that have already been made? In terms of the omission of her culpability in the error, is there a way that you can submit the error report since you were involved in resolving the error?

Pediatric TPNs sounds like a rough thing to take care of if you don't typically staff; however, there isn't a lot of excuses she can make for inaccurate reporting of that near miss. Both pharmacists involved in the error need to be accurately identified so that interventions to prevent future errors can be targeted correctly. Is your work environment really punitive? I'm not sure why she would file false reports. I would be worried that there was something about the hospital culture that encouraged her to inaccurately report.

Also, I'm sorry that you are dealing with all of that. She sounds out of her depth and, as you put it, a little cowardly.

 

[zelman]

I just want to share this crazy story about my workplace. It is true 100%. I am not making anything up.

At my place, we have a pharmacist who has been working there for nearly 27 years, having the most seniority above us. She is also in charge of med error reports and med safety meeting, pretty much she has been the main person running at this small hospital (145 beds with average census 80 patients a day). Anyway, one day, she worked as a staff pharmacist (which she hates). She verified a baby TPN and made a crazy error in it when transcribing into CAPS. She mistakenly entered as grams/L instead of meq/L. The protocol at my place is having 2 pharmacists checking baby TPN. She verified it , then there was another Rph (say B) checked it. This person also screwed up, approved it and Caps screwed up also, sent the TPN here. When the TPN arrived here, nurse found out and wrote an incident report. I and another pharmacist (say C) had to call Dr for an IV fluid because too late for CAPS to mix and deliver second round . The next day, I showed her the error she made.

Then a few days later, my director asked me what went on with that. I reported the whole situation. Today, I found out from someone that she reported me as the pharmacist who verified the order and the pharmacist C was the second verifying pharmacist. What a crazy azz bit%^%. My blood was boiling.

Btw, I also happened to find out she reported almost everyone at work from tech to pharmacists, except for herself. Her record is clean, 0 errors. So wonderful!

Crazy backstabbing, coward pharmacist.

Time to lawyer up.

li·bel
ˈlībəl/
noun
LAW
a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.
synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering;


verb
LAW
defame (someone) by publishing a libel.
"she alleged the magazine had libeled her"
synonyms: defame, malign, slander, blacken someone's name, sully someone's reputation, speak ill/evil of, traduce, smear, cast aspersions on, drag someone's name through the mud, besmirch, tarnish, taint, tell lies about, stain, impugn someone's character/integrity, vilify, denigrate, disparage, run down, stigmatize, discredit, slur

 

[confettiflyer]

Protect yourself and protect your license at all costs.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[UGAZ]

It's more than just this story. We had a new director since last year and he has been rocking this place up. I think she sensed that her job security is no longer in place, thus she tries her best to protect her ass. She writes up everyone everyday on small issues. If tech forgets to temp log and she finds out, she reports to QA/Med error right away. Also, she has her "wing" pharmacist, who she never reports on that person's error. All she is trying to do is to get my new director into headaches and report as much errors as possible to let him explode and fire everyone. Also, we had several pharmacy board visits due to internal report complaining we didn't handle meds safely. Luckily , they found nothing.

The new director came in last year, took away her privileges of doing time card, schedule, etc...demoting her to work as staff pharmacist. She used to just work as a clinical manager and doing time card /pharmacist schedule only. Also, she gets paid the highest one here, even I don't think my director gets paid as high as she does.

 

[BMBiology]

I don't get it. How did she get away with blaming the error on you? Isn't there a record of the pharmacist who approved the order?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[MrBonita]

She must have the alzheimers and forgot she checked the TPN. That is the only logical reason I can think of.

 

[UGAZ]

I don't get it. How did she get away with blaming the error on you? Isn't there a record of the pharmacist who approved the order?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

She got away because she's the med safety officer here. Any errors get reported===> come to her and my boss. My boss is too freaking busy running around 2 hospitals. He basically lets her handle this crap. As a result of this, she manipulates all data for her advantage.
We all know how she is, but no ball to speak up because most directors here last 2 years then out the door. Since I worked here, I have seen 5 new directors. This guy won't last either. Eventually, she stays here forever.

 

[UGAZ]

She must have the alzheimers and forgot she checked the TPN. That is the only logical reason I can think of.

She did not forget, but she altered my name as the checking pharmacist, but the truth of the matter is she was the one checking and submitting the TPN to caps, not me. I was the one getting the report for error from RN.

 

[UGAZ]

Just to clarify, she explained in her report of med error that the TPN was verified by me and pharmacist C double checked and submitted to Caps. There was no where her name or the pharmacist B involved in the report of error analysis. Basically, she put my name in there instead of her for a clean record....farking biatch

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

All orders to CAPS is done through CAPSLink, a web-based proprietary ordering software. That a-hole pharmacist may have control over record-keeping in your hospital, but not over CAPS software.

If she is the one who verified the order, her account should be attached to the order. Are you telling me that she hacked or manipulated the the CAPSLink order entry system? Or did she use your account to verify the order (thereby making it appear that you verified the order)?

 

[UGAZ]

All orders to CAPS is done through CAPSLink, a web-based proprietary ordering software. That a-hole pharmacist may have control over record-keeping in your hospital, but not over CAPS software.

If she is the one who verified the order, her account should be attached to the order. Are you telling me that she hacked or manipulated the the CAPSLink order entry system? Or did she use your account to verify the order (thereby making it appear that you verified the order)?

No her name showed there, but the main point is the report of error analysis, she put down my name on it, not her. Btw, since I am not supposed to look at the error analysis report. This is only viewable by her or by the director. I just happened to have antenna reporting to me... very reliable source with screenshot of the document.

 

[lane one]

This entire thing is ludicrous. You seem to be implying that you are afraid to defend yourself because you think she will somehow outlast all management and you'll get burned in the end. I say you bury her and be done with it. Opinions are one thing, but facts are facts.

 

[RxPreceptor]

That is cold...you'd think she would do the right thing and own up to her mistake so she could learn from it you know since she does all the error reporting and what not (important ****). Might want to share computer documentation with your director along with intended cover up

 

[Dr Wario]

You hospital pharmacists have way too much time on your hands, retail is too busy for that bs.

 

[gwarm01]

Take a screenshot showing who verified the order and who entered it into CAPS. Send that to the director and if they don't resolve it, go above their head.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Same type of **** happened to me. Never going back to an "office" type of practice location again. If there are more than a handful of people working, office politics are inevitable.

Night. Shift. Pharmacy. Just you and the drugs, no humans to screw it all up.

 

[gwarm01]

This has to be a fire able offense, no?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

You would think so. It may even be illegal.. falsifying documents??

 

[Digsbe]

Get a lawyer and show her you're serious. What she's doing is libel, have the manager look at the credentialing software explicitly showing she had checked the order. Don't sign any incident report or some "I have reviewed the error and will take action to prevent this" type of paper either admitting any kind of guilt or fault. Force her to own up to it, and if she doesn't bring a lawsuit against her. Double check your institutions retaliation policy and do everything in good faith.

 

[UGAZ]

Ok folks, the thing is I am not supposed to look at the Med Error report analysis. This document is only viewable by manager/director. I just happened to know it since a reliable source told me about it and showed me screenshot of the document how she altered my name in it instead of her.

With all things said and done, the main purpose is she tried to not let her name in the med error profile as much as possible. When it comes to lay off or staff reduction, she will stay here forever. The ones with error reported will be gone first. That's why I am very sick and want to vomit when realizing how disgusting this game is at my place.

As someone mentioned, yes, she has so much free time doing this. I agree. I don't even have time at work. I don't have time to open a window, log in hospital website and report error. That **** takes like 5-10 mins reporting . But I guess I have to do it from now on , just to be on par with this lady.

Btw, a lot of previous Rph quit or fired because of her too.

 

[confettiflyer]

She did not forget, but she altered my name as the checking pharmacist, but the truth of the matter is she was the one checking and submitting the TPN to caps, not me. I was the one getting the report for error from RN.

CAPS should keep a time stamp of submission and so should your order system. Were you in the same room as her? See if you can IT to prove you were on another computer in an outside location during the window of time.

Sorry that's all I can think of. Poor records process + shady actor = no actionable evidence and it becomes he said/she said


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[confettiflyer]

Clean up your CV and start shopping asap. You'll be in a better position dropping atomic bombs on her career if you've got a ship to jump to.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[steveysmith54]

If you go down, go down swinging. If you truly believe that she wants u terminated, what do you have to lose? If this was retail chain, I'd say request a transfer to the store four blocks away. I say that you request to see a copy of the report and present your side of the story with supporting documents. Then you request an investigation to check accuracy of all reports submitted by her and assessment of ethical standards, ie falsification of records etc. you can't play the victim all you life, do something about it, especially if you have concrete evidence

 

[UGAZ]

Clean up your CV and start shopping asap. You'll be in a better position dropping atomic bombs on her career if you've got a ship to jump to.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

That's why I've been doing. But the job market in Southern California is horrible....That's why I got stuck here.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Get HR involved- if and when this comes back to bite you you'll have a paper trail outside of her "jurisdictions".

Also probably not wise to give so many details of your workplace on a public forum.

 

[BMBiology]

Ok folks, the thing is I am not supposed to look at the Med Error report analysis. This document is only viewable by manager/director. I just happened to know it since a reliable source told me about it and showed me screenshot of the document how she altered my name in it instead of her.

With all things said and done, the main purpose is she tried to not let her name in the med error profile as much as possible. When it comes to lay off or staff reduction, she will stay here forever. The ones with error reported will be gone first. That's why I am very sick and want to vomit when realizing how disgusting this game is at my place.

As someone mentioned, yes, she has so much free time doing this. I agree. I don't even have time at work. I don't have time to open a window, log in hospital website and report error. That **** takes like 5-10 mins reporting . But I guess I have to do it from now on , just to be on par with this lady.

Btw, a lot of previous Rph quit or fired because of her too.

Actually med error report can't be kept private. It has to be opened so anyone can access it and learn how to avoid future mistakes. That is how whole purpose of the report.

If you want to see it then just ask for it. If they refuse, then go to Joint Commission or whatever regulatory agency. Falsifying record is a serious matter. If she did do this then she is in serious trouble.

Am I the only one who thinks there is more to this story? It doesn't make sense that you would take the blame for it when there is electronic record as to who approved the order.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[UGAZ]

Get HR involved- if and when this comes back to bite you you'll have a paper trail outside of her "jurisdictions".

Also probably not wise to give so many details of your workplace on a public forum.

I agree with you 100%. I actually didn't intend to post this up here because never know, she might be the one reading this. Pharmacy is a very small world, after all. However, I could not take it anymore and since SDN has a lot of smart people (at least smarter than me), I would learn from them how they deal with such situation.

The politics at my place is insane and it keeps getting worse due to budget cut, staff reducing. People who are super nice to you in front, but they f* you hard in the back , just for their own benefits and surviving. At times, I even got set up for checking wrong med expiration date. And I know exactly what I checked the day before...turning out the outdate stamp has already altered and changed to a closer expired date to get me in trouble. What a f*8 up place.

 

[UGAZ]

Actually med error report can't be kept private. It has to be opened so anyone can access it and learn how to avoid future mistakes. That is how whole purpose of the report.

If you want to see it then just ask for it. If they refuse, then go to Joint Commission or whatever regulatory agency. Falsifying record is a serious matter. If she did do this then she is in serious trouble.

Am I the only one who thinks there is more to this story? It doesn't make sense that you would take the blame for it when there is electronic record as to who approved the order.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

At my place, this file is kept confidentially. Only her and the director have access to view/modify it. That is why you never see her name on this record. All reports under her name, she erased or blamed on others. Talking about corruption....Also, nobody here has balls to report her either since they know her personality, plus they see most director comes and goes after 2 years, whereas she has been staying here for 27 years.

 

[nonizondi]

I agree with you 100%. I actually didn't intend to post this up here because never know, she might be the one reading this. Pharmacy is a very small world, after all. However, I could not take it anymore and since SDN has a lot of smart people (at least smarter than me), I would learn from them how they deal with such situation.

The politics at my place is insane and it keeps getting worse due to budget cut, staff reducing. People who are super nice to you in front, but they f* you hard in the back , just for their own benefits and surviving. At times, I even got set up for checking wrong med expiration date. And I know exactly what I checked the day before...turning out the outdate stamp has already altered and changed to a closer expired date to get me in trouble. What a f*8 up place.

Welcome to the corporate world son. If you had a job before this you would know that's how work environments have always been. I would advise you to take this issue very serious and gather as much evidence as you can . Also submit your own version of the report and document everything you did. Covert aggressives like her easily back off when you charge back. Never confront her about this and work with a trusted colleague to monitor her every move...

 

[owlegrad]

To me it seems like you are playing into the politics. If only two people in the world can see these reports, how do you have a copy of it? How important can these error reports be if no one has an opportunity to view them or add information to them?

I am of two minds on this one. My first thought is that management very likely already knows she can't be trusted and that is why most of her responsibilities have been taken from her. They very likely haven't removed this specific one from her because they just don't care enough about it to worry about it. In this scenario I would just focus on doing my job well and ignore her completely. Her self-destructive connivings have already resulted in her losing authority previously and will likely do so in the future. She will either be fired or retire soon enough not to let her affect you.

OTOH, if you really think the error report is taken seriously or you can't let the injustice stand, you need to submit your own version of what happened ASAP. There is no way she is the only person in the world you can submit your report to. Type something up and take it directly to your director if that's what it takes. You don't even have to admit to admit to seeing the report, just say you are aware of this very serious error and want to make sure all the facts are reported. It's a little flimsy but if you are worried about revealing your source or just don't want to admit you know the truth it should suffice.

Alternatively or in addition submit a grievance to HR about being falsely accused. There is simply no way that CAPS and your computer system have no record of who actually checked/submitted the erroneous order, not too mention that too many people are involved for a cover up (at least 4 counting her, the second check, plus you and the other pharmacist who are being blamed).

Finally there are three sides to every story; yours, mine, and the truth. I would be very interested in hearing her side of things, if for no other reason than for the entertainment value.

Also how crazy is it that the nurse caught the error? That is one special nurse and very lucky baby!

 

[UGAZ]

To me it seems like you are playing into the politics. If only two people in the world can see these reports, how do you have a copy of it? How important can these error reports be if no one has an opportunity to view them or add information to them?

I am of two minds on this one. My first thought is that management very likely already knows she can't be trusted and that is why most of her responsibilities have been taken from her. They very likely haven't removed this specific one from her because they just don't care enough about it to worry about it. In this scenario I would just focus on doing my job well and ignore her completely. Her self-destructive connivings have already resulted in her losing authority previously and will likely do so in the future. She will either be fired or retire soon enough not to let her affect you.

OTOH, if you really think the error report is taken seriously or you can't let the injustice stand, you need to submit your own version of what happened ASAP. There is no way she is the only person in the world you can submit your report to. Type something up and take it directly to your director if that's what it takes. You don't even have to admit to admit to seeing the report, just say you are aware of this very serious error and want to make sure all the facts are reported. It's a little flimsy but if you are worried about revealing your source or just don't want to admit you know the truth it should suffice.

Alternatively or in addition submit a grievance to HR about being falsely accused. There is simply no way that CAPS and your computer system have no record of who actually checked/submitted the erroneous order, not too mention that too many people are involved for a cover up (at least 4 counting her, the second check, plus you and the other pharmacist who are being blamed).

Finally there are three sides to every story; yours, mine, and the truth. I would be very interested in hearing her side of things, if for no other reason than for the entertainment value.

Also how crazy is it that the nurse caught the error? That is one special nurse and very lucky baby!

Believe me, I just want to be left alone working and not getting involved in this political crap. However, there are a lot of more stories into it and I can't let them all out here in one day. In fact, I don't think anywhere else would be crazier than my place in terms of politics.
The fact of the matter is the new boss wants to fire her because of her salary but he could not since this is a union hospital. She, on the other hand, knows that too so she has been trying to get rid of him ASAP. I am, on the other hands, in the middle. At times, the director asked me for helping him with policy, meetings, etc...because he is the director of 2 hospitals. I could not say no because he's my boss. As a result of this, her people reported to her as I am the one behind helping him.
What I really don't understand is why the heck he still lets her handle med errors report/analysis. Truly up to this point, I still can't figure out. People say he's too busy, that's why.....but I really think my director purposely let people hate her for reporting...

it's true that there are 3 sides of a story. My side, her side, and the truth. I never deny. There are more corrupted facts that I cannot present here. Maybe one day after I find a better place, I will write a long story about this place, with the name of the hospital too...

The nurse caught the error because the Dr inputted 6mEq/L on an electrolyte, and CAPS label showed 6 grams/L.

 

[nonizondi]

Believe me, I just want to be left alone working and not getting involved in this political crap. However, there are a lot of more stories into it and I can't let them all out here in one day. In fact, I don't think anywhere else would be crazier than my place in terms of politics.
The fact of the matter is the new boss wants to fire her because of her salary but he could not since this is a union hospital. She, on the other hand, knows that too so she has been trying to get rid of him ASAP. I am, on the other hands, in the middle. At times, the director asked me for helping him with policy, meetings, etc...because he is the director of 2 hospitals. I could not say no because he's my boss. As a result of this, her people reported to her as I am the one behind helping him.
What I really don't understand is why the heck he still lets her handle med errors report/analysis. Truly up to this point, I still can't figure out. People say he's too busy, that's why.....but I really think my director purposely let people hate her for reporting...

it's true that there are 3 sides of a story. My side, her side, and the truth. I never deny. There are more corrupted facts that I cannot present here. Maybe one day after I find a better place, I will write a long story about this place, with the name of the hospital too...

The nurse caught the error because the Dr inputted 6mEq/L on an electrolyte, and CAPS label showed 6 grams/L.

seems like your director already know her antics.. tell him your own side of the story.. falsifying documents is a serious issue

 

[gwarm01]

The answer the question in the thread title, office politics haven't been too bad at any of my jobs. Maybe it's because we tend to have an "us vs them" attitude with nursing, but the majority of my fellow pharmacists acted like we were all in this together. There have been a couple bad seeds who I could tell had that side to them, but they weren't in an environment conducive to that sort of behavior.

 

[confettiflyer]

Actually med error report can't be kept private. It has to be opened so anyone can access it and learn how to avoid future mistakes. That is how whole purpose of the report.

If you want to see it then just ask for it. If they refuse, then go to Joint Commission or whatever regulatory agency. Falsifying record is a serious matter. If she did do this then she is in serious trouble.

Am I the only one who thinks there is more to this story? It doesn't make sense that you would take the blame for it when there is electronic record as to who approved the order.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

I believe med error reporting falls under evidence code 1157 therefore not discoverable, but I'm not 100% sure on the accrediting body portion. I think process is what's looked at.

As for CAPS, there's only one pharmacist on record signing off on it...the second check is courtesy (and likely internal policy) and would have been signed on a paper or noted by the first pharmacist.

I think this is what the bitch is hiding behind.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[confettiflyer]

The answer the question in the thread title, office politics haven't been too bad at any of my jobs. Maybe it's because we tend to have an "us vs them" attitude with nursing, but the majority of my fellow pharmacists acted like we were all in this together. There have been a couple bad seeds who I could tell had that side to them, but they weren't in an environment conducive to that sort of behavior.

That's extremely unfortunate you have an antagonistic relationship with nursing. Aside for a few grizzled nurses, we're all on the same ship, so to speak.

It takes years to change that relationship...assuming you have the right staff and leadership in place.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[owlegrad]

The nurse caught the error because the Dr inputted 6mEq/L on an electrolyte, and CAPS label showed 6 grams/L.

Right, but how many nurses are that observant with units? Or even check each electrolyte on the label? In my experience most can't be bothered to notice the difference between mcg and mg, let alone meq vs grams.

 

[gwarm01]

That's extremely unfortunate you have an antagonistic relationship with nursing. Aside for a few grizzled nurses, we're all on the same ship, so to speak.

It takes years to change that relationship...assuming you have the right staff and leadership in place.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

It was frustrating. I had many positive relationships with individual nurses, especially those in the unit I was based, but overall it felt like they were very quick to blame anything on pharmacy. Error reports written for the smallest, most insignificant things. Or they would write you up for an "error" they discovered, which was actually an intentional therapy plan that was discussed with the physician. Yet you still had to go through the entire process, speak with the QA person, and keep this document in your record.

I'm in the IT department at my current job, so I have no idea how it is for pharmacists here. However, my PRN job has such a great relationship with nursing and the physicians. It's very relaxed and friendly. If it wasn't a tiny community hospital located in a small town in the middle of a rural state I would consider working for them full-time.

 

[UGAZ]

Right, but how many nurses are that observant with units? Or even check each electrolyte on the label? In my experience most can't be bothered to notice the difference between mcg and mg, let alone meq vs grams.

NICU nurses are very careful here. They check on label vs what entered inside MAR. This is actually good to prevent actual error. The incident as stated above was just a near miss.

 

[lord999]

She got away because she's the med safety officer here. Any errors get reported===> come to her and my boss. My boss is too freaking busy running around 2 hospitals. He basically lets her handle this crap. As a result of this, she manipulates all data for her advantage.
We all know how she is, but no ball to speak up because most directors here last 2 years then out the door. Since I worked here, I have seen 5 new directors. This guy won't last either. Eventually, she stays here forever.

Yep, that's the perfect job. There is a reason why there most businesses do not allow former management to demote to staff without a clear power transition for precisely the reasons you articulated. This happens to badly run groups (inpatient pharmacies, nuclear pharmacies, anywhere). If you aren't stuck in the city where you're at, probably, it's time to start looking.

I've been in hospitals just like you describe. The best thing to do is to slow down and start being very, very inefficient and prioritize correctness and blending in. There is no management structure in place to get efficiency if leadership is so lacking. The other thing is that if you are not basement staff (and I mean you personally see the nurses), I'd start buying lunch and stuff for them to at least have a good relationship with you. It's very handy to be the liked exception to a screw-up department. It's actually easier in many ways as if you screw up, they're willing to overlook it more often because if they get rid of you, they get worse people anyway.

 

[lord999]

To me it seems like you are playing into the politics. If only two people in the world can see these reports, how do you have a copy of it? How important can these error reports be if no one has an opportunity to view them or add information to them?

I am of two minds on this one. My first thought is that management very likely already knows she can't be trusted and that is why most of her responsibilities have been taken from her. They very likely haven't removed this specific one from her because they just don't care enough about it to worry about it. In this scenario I would just focus on doing my job well and ignore her completely. Her self-destructive connivings have already resulted in her losing authority previously and will likely do so in the future. She will either be fired or retire soon enough not to let her affect you.

OTOH, if you really think the error report is taken seriously or you can't let the injustice stand, you need to submit your own version of what happened ASAP. There is no way she is the only person in the world you can submit your report to. Type something up and take it directly to your director if that's what it takes. You don't even have to admit to admit to seeing the report, just say you are aware of this very serious error and want to make sure all the facts are reported. It's a little flimsy but if you are worried about revealing your source or just don't want to admit you know the truth it should suffice.

Alternatively or in addition submit a grievance to HR about being falsely accused. There is simply no way that CAPS and your computer system have no record of who actually checked/submitted the erroneous order, not too mention that too many people are involved for a cover up (at least 4 counting her, the second check, plus you and the other pharmacist who are being blamed).

Finally there are three sides to every story; yours, mine, and the truth. I would be very interested in hearing her side of things, if for no other reason than for the entertainment value.

Also how crazy is it that the nurse caught the error? That is one special nurse and very lucky baby!

Also, JC requires an alternate pathway for reporting such that it isn't departmental. She's probably doing this more to force management to care about her, and you're the designated victim. I would follow @owlegrad advice to the letter about the alternate story. And you're lucky, most nurses aren't that attentive.

I'd find that hard to believe even if you are using an older system like STAR or HBO that the order cannot be traced. There is no state to my knowledge that allows for a system to not have a verification record for a particular dispense (same as outpatient prescription fills). Whether the actual person is the person who verifies or not is their responsibility, that's why even if it isn't legally required in certain states to physically initial the order, some (and some company's still mandate it) still do to guarantee what was theirs and wasn't verified out of turn.

 

[confettiflyer]

Right, but how many nurses are that observant with units? Or even check each electrolyte on the label? In my experience most can't be bothered to notice the difference between mcg and mg, let alone meq vs grams.

That's something I would expect from a NICU RN...our policy is double check RPh and double check RN before admin (paper order vs. label).


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[UGAZ]

Also, JC requires an alternate pathway for reporting such that it isn't departmental. She's probably doing this more to force management to care about her, and you're the designated victim. I would follow @owlegrad advice to the letter about the alternate story. And you're lucky, most nurses aren't that attentive.

I'd find that hard to believe even if you are using an older system like STAR or HBO that the order cannot be traced. There is no state to my knowledge that allows for a system to not have a verification record for a particular dispense (same as outpatient prescription fills). Whether the actual person is the person who verifies or not is their responsibility, that's why even if it isn't legally required in certain states to physically initial the order, some (and some company's still mandate it) still do to guarantee what was theirs and wasn't verified out of turn.

The order is surely traceable. It shows her name as the pharmacist verifying the order, date, time, etc.. The main thing here is I wasn't the one verifying that order, and yet she claimed my name under the incident report. As I stated many times, this incident report file (med error/med safety file) is compiling of all data distributed throughout whole hospital about incidents, especially medication errors. Unfortunately, she is the med safety officer. So she altered and pull her name out of the loop and inserted my name on it.

I think I would discuss with my director about this. The thing is...how to approach it without letting him know that I actually did take a peak at the file...without his approval...That's the hardest part. I think the file is supposed to be confidential.

 

[UGAZ]

Btw, we had State health department, board of pharmacy visit within 2 weeks a few months ago because of internal complaints about meds are not handled properly, and how understaffed the pharmacy department is. Also, same person stated that our place had a lot of expired and outdates, and handling narcotics inappropriately. There was a whole series where the state board came down and interviewed each pharmacist about the working condition here, including me.

 

[nonizondi]

Btw, we had State health department, board of pharmacy visit within 2 weeks a few months ago because of internal complaints about meds are not handled properly, and how understaffed the pharmacy department is. Also, same person stated that our place had a lot of expired and outdates, and handling narcotics inappropriately. There was a whole series where the state board came down and interviewed each pharmacist about the working condition here, including me.

Don't you think she might be the one who reported to the state Board??? You need to move smart and quick....

 

[UGAZ]

Don't you think she might be the one who reported to the state Board??? You need to move smart and quick....

We all know it was her and her gang. Who else ? The main goal was to get the new director out of here so she can be in charge again...and corrupt. Also, she never accepts the director position but want to work with director privileges.

 

[BenJammin]

LOL @ suing her for libel. That's not going to happen.

 

[owlegrad]

The order is surely traceable. It shows her name as the pharmacist verifying the order, date, time, etc.. The main thing here is I wasn't the one verifying that order, and yet she claimed my name under the incident report. As I stated many times, this incident report file (med error/med safety file) is compiling of all data distributed throughout whole hospital about incidents, especially medication errors. Unfortunately, she is the med safety officer. So she altered and pull her name out of the loop and inserted my name on it.

I think I would discuss with my director about this. The thing is...how to approach it without letting him know that I actually did take a peak at the file...without his approval...That's the hardest part. I think the file is supposed to be confidential.

That to me is the wildest part. She must think she is totally untouchable to falsify a report where the actual facts are so easily verifiable. I really think you are overcomplicating this - surely taking this to risk management or human resources or your director would be enough to expose the truth of the situation.

 

[confettiflyer]

That to me is the wildest part. She must think she is totally untouchable to falsify a report where the actual facts are so easily verifiable. I really think you are overcomplicating this - surely taking this to risk management or human resources or your director would be enough to expose the truth of the situation.

Like I mentioned earlier, better to have a ship to jump to before lobbing HR atomic bombs. Harder to justify and defend the firing of a 27 year veteran of the hospital than the new guy, how's that for risk management?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Lnsean]

Just to clarify, she explained in her report of med error that the TPN was verified by me and pharmacist C double checked and submitted to Caps. There was no where her name or the pharmacist B involved in the report of error analysis. Basically, she put my name in there instead of her for a clean record....farking biatch

Yea this sounds like a call to HR and the compliance office. Some serious **** going on here. You need to make stand for your license if not your integrity.

 

[PharmDBro2017]

Yea this sounds like a call to HR and the compliance office. Some serious **** going on here. You need to make stand for your license if not your integrity.

This... do it for your own integrity... and get her fired.

Her name is linked to the order verification (which proves her lying about your verifying it on the report), there's no disputing this on paper... get that ho fired