Question 4 ellencee or other med type

[Idrivetrains]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I got released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. I had been in for a week. They had to pull my vertebrae out of my spinal cord and dig disk out of the space where it had exploded upward towards my head from a train wreck. (I finally got proof I have a brain!) Needless to say this was a very painful surgery. Until I could swallow, my Dr. had Morphine shots 40mg IM for me. When I could swallow, it was Dilaudid. I was also on prophylactic antibiotics. Now comes the problem. First I had to inform the nurse that my Dr. had released me for home. This was not conveyed in shift change report. I understand when it's busy, I'm patient. When she finally confirmed I was going home, I asked if I could get a pain pill for the drive home. It was a long drive. She left and came back 15 min later with a shot. I told her I wanted the pill, but the shot would do. I asked if she would give it in my arm since they had got both hips the day before. (more meat on arms than hips...ouch) She didn't say anything. She just said she had to give me my antibiotic, grabbed the bag, drew up the saline flush and came over. I couldn't see what she was doing, my head is in this getup. Next thing I knew, I had this real warm flush come over me. It was getting harder to breathe. I asked her what she gave me, she said my shot. I said they always gave it in my hip or arm. Her eyes got wide and she ran out of the room. It was now getting REAL hard to breathe. I thought she might be going for help. She didn't come back for like 10 min or so. It felt like I was fighting for my life. On top of this, I have heart problems. After about 20 min or so, I started getting back to where I could at least breathe some. I have no idea why I felt that way. I heard later it was because it was supposed to be IM and she gave it to me IV. Then she went to hook up the antibiotic and I made sure I got to where I could see. Good thing, she drew air in the needle to get saline flush, but never filled it. She was going to inject AIR into my saline lock! I asked for another nurse, but they were all busy. I said just get my papers and scripts and let me go.
Since this was Sat afternoon, there was really no one in. I waited till yesterday (Monday) and all I got was answering machines. Who would I need to talk to to get this nurse some help or a refresher course before she does some serious damage to someone? My husband witnessed most of this. I have no idea who to talk to. If she had done this to someone older, they surely would have died. I felt like I was close. Any suggestions on how to handle this? Not out to ruin someone, but dont want to see anyone die either. Would really appreciate any suggestions, never did anything like this before.

 

[panzertanker]

Who would I need to talk to to get this nurse some help or a refresher course before she does some serious damage to someone? I have no idea who to talk to. If she had done this to someone older, they surely would have died. Any suggestions on how to handle this? Not out to ruin someone, but dont want to see anyone die either. Would really appreciate any suggestions, never did anything like this before.

Call the Director of Nursing and ask to discuss this situation with him/her. If you DID truly receive this IV instead of IM, then Risk Assessment/Management will be involved from an internal standpoint and the situation will be corrected/addressed accordingly.

That is the way to approach this situation to have a positive outcome for everyone.
Goodluck.

 

[Idrivetrains]

Thanks for the advice. I will call her/him first thing in the morning. As of yet, still have yet to receive a call back. By the way, I did receive the IM shot by IV. The nurse told me she did it as well as my husband saw it. I am OK through this, what concerns me is the next patient might not fair so well. Nursing is rough, I know this. They pile a lot of work on them and expect it to be like an assembly line. I saw the scare in her eyes. I just want her to slow down and pay attention and leave the attitude at home. It wasn't the fact she made the mistake, it was the fact she tried to hide it and didn't even go for help. And right after that scare, turn around and not pay more careful attention and tried to shoot me up with air. It makes me wonder what would happen in a code situation. Will she panic? As long as this is addressed, thats all I want. Thanks again for the help.

 

[ellencee]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I got released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. I had been in for a week. They had to pull my vertebrae out of my spinal cord and dig disk out of the space where it had exploded upward towards my head from a train wreck. (I finally got proof I have a brain!) Needless to say this was a very painful surgery. Until I could swallow, my Dr. had Morphine shots 40mg IM for me. When I could swallow, it was Dilaudid. I was also on prophylactic antibiotics. Now comes the problem. First I had to inform the nurse that my Dr. had released me for home. This was not conveyed in shift change report. I understand when it's busy, I'm patient. When she finally confirmed I was going home, I asked if I could get a pain pill for the drive home. It was a long drive. She left and came back 15 min later with a shot. I told her I wanted the pill, but the shot would do. I asked if she would give it in my arm since they had got both hips the day before. (more meat on arms than hips...ouch) She didn't say anything. She just said she had to give me my antibiotic, grabbed the bag, drew up the saline flush and came over. I couldn't see what she was doing, my head is in this getup. Next thing I knew, I had this real warm flush come over me. It was getting harder to breathe. I asked her what she gave me, she said my shot. I said they always gave it in my hip or arm. Her eyes got wide and she ran out of the room. It was now getting REAL hard to breathe. I thought she might be going for help. She didn't come back for like 10 min or so. It felt like I was fighting for my life. On top of this, I have heart problems. After about 20 min or so, I started getting back to where I could at least breathe some. I have no idea why I felt that way. I heard later it was because it was supposed to be IM and she gave it to me IV. Then she went to hook up the antibiotic and I made sure I got to where I could see. Good thing, she drew air in the needle to get saline flush, but never filled it. She was going to inject AIR into my saline lock! I asked for another nurse, but they were all busy. I said just get my papers and scripts and let me go.
Since this was Sat afternoon, there was really no one in. I waited till yesterday (Monday) and all I got was answering machines. Who would I need to talk to to get this nurse some help or a refresher course before she does some serious damage to someone? My husband witnessed most of this. I have no idea who to talk to. If she had done this to someone older, they surely would have died. I felt like I was close. Any suggestions on how to handle this? Not out to ruin someone, but dont want to see anyone die either. Would really appreciate any suggestions, never did anything like this before.

The nurse most likely gave the medication too fast and caused you to react in the manner you described. No real damage was done. Now, as for your receiving Morphine 40mg IM, I am so sorry to hear of your untimely death.
EC

 

[panzertanker]

I am so sorry to hear of your untimely death.
EC

I didn't bother with that. Obviously, OP got that dose wrong.

 

[Idrivetrains]

No, I got the amount right. That is exactly what the nurse said she gave me. According to my records, when the Director and I sat there and read them,thats what my Doctor ordered. And that is what the nurse admitted to when she was confronted and said she gave it IV instead of IM as it was called for.Maybe the Doctor ordered the wrong amount, that I don't know. All I know is that all the other injections were given in my muscle and that is what I told her when she brought it even after I had asked for a pill. The Director and Nursing Manager were amazed I survived. It was very close, but for once having a very high pulse (130's at rest) and used to being hypoxic is probably what saved me according to the Director as well as already on high doses of pain meds. 80 Mg Oxycodone HCL ER every 12 hrs for 10 wks previous with Hydrocodone Bitartrate & APAP 10 Mg/650 Mg every 6 hrs for breakthrough pain must not be that high either.The oxygen mask that was on that I grabbed had to help too. Must have had God on my side.This was a very painful situation and thank God the pain is mostly relieved! Was discharged with Dilaudid 8 mg every 4 hrs but after 4 days, all I need is extra strength Tylenol! (well and 1 pill every now and then) Believe it or not, there are those out there who OD all the time and live through it. I believe I lived by the grace of God. Thank you again for letting me know who to call. It was very much appreciated. I was asked if I was going to file assault/battery charges against her. All I asked, especially since she did not try to lie about it and gave a heartfelt apology, was that she get counseling for what ever is happening that made her unable to concentrate on her task at hand. Also to deal with the scare she had after she made this mistake.I could see the fear in her eyes. Now that really scared me. I also asked that she take a refresher in some type of trauma course to refine the instinct that nurses get in critical situations. (not sure what it was called) I have no idea what they are going to do about her falsifying my records. She got busted with that too. I do know that I can only ask for these things and they are not obliged to honor them, but I could not, nor will I, possibly end her career and/or possibly bankrupt her over a mistake she has to live with the rest of her life.
Also, I caught the sarcasm in your replies. I feel sorry for both of you. You are extremely cynical in your outlook of others. I assure you these are facts as they happened. If you can't believe them, oh well, but I do appreciate at least you gave me the information on how to deal with it. I do want you to know this was the most scared I have ever been in my life. I knew if I had laid down, I would have died. I had to fight for every breath I took, and it was a challenge. Besides that, I could not talk. Throat surgery gives you a whisper.
I am so glad she was adult enough to accept responsibility for her mistake. I was glad to know she will, at least, learn from it.

And ellencee, I do hope you meant 40 Mg IV not IM would cause an untimely death.

And just curious. If she gave me the proper dose in the proper way, why would she so scared when she came back in? The only thing I said to her was what did she give me? When she came back, she cranked up the oxygen on me and kept listening to my lungs. And still with nothing said, she was so shook up she forgot to put the flush in the syringe and almost gave me air.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

If you were getting this surgery as the result of being in a train accident, you need to speak with your attorney re the impact of this "overdose" and negligent care. If she realized she OD'd you or improperly dosed you and did nothing but allow you to go home without a doctor examining you again and approving your release, something is just not jiving here including your meeting with the director. WHat has your doctor said about this? You went through all this and were posting here on Sunday?

 

[ellencee]

Idrivetrains No, I got the amount right. That is exactly what the nurse said she gave me. According to my records, when the Director and I sat there and read them,thats what my Doctor ordered. And that is what the nurse admitted to when she was confronted and said she gave it IV instead of IM as it was called for.Maybe the Doctor ordered the wrong amount, that I don't know. All I know is that all the other injections were given in my muscle and that is what I told her when she brought it even after I had asked for a pill. The Director and Nursing Manager were amazed I survived. It was very close, but for once having a very high pulse (130's at rest) and used to being hypoxic is probably what saved me according to the Director as well as already on high doses of pain meds. 80 Mg Oxycodone HCL ER every 12 hrs for 10 wks previous with Hydrocodone Bitartrate & APAP 10 Mg/650 Mg every 6 hrs for breakthrough pain must not be that high either.The oxygen mask that was on that I grabbed had to help too. Must have had God on my side.This was a very painful situation and thank God the pain is mostly relieved! Was discharged with Dilaudid 8 mg every 4 hrs but after 4 days, all I need is extra strength Tylenol! (well and 1 pill every now and then) Believe it or not, there are those out there who OD all the time and live through it. I believe I lived by the grace of God. Thank you again for letting me know who to call. It was very much appreciated. I was asked if I was going to file assault/battery charges against her. All I asked, especially since she did not try to lie about it and gave a heartfelt apology, was that she get counseling for what ever is happening that made her unable to concentrate on her task at hand. Also to deal with the scare she had after she made this mistake.I could see the fear in her eyes. Now that really scared me. I also asked that she take a refresher in some type of trauma course to refine the instinct that nurses get in critical situations. (not sure what it was called) I have no idea what they are going to do about her falsifying my records. She got busted with that too. I do know that I can only ask for these things and they are not obliged to honor them, but I could not, nor will I, possibly end her career and/or possibly bankrupt her over a mistake she has to live with the rest of her life.
Also, I caught the sarcasm in your replies. I feel sorry for both of you. You are extremely cynical in your outlook of others. I assure you these are facts as they happened. If you can't believe them, oh well, but I do appreciate at least you gave me the information on how to deal with it. I do want you to know this was the most scared I have ever been in my life. I knew if I had laid down, I would have died. I had to fight for every breath I took, and it was a challenge. Besides that, I could not talk. Throat surgery gives you a whisper.
I am so glad she was adult enough to accept responsibility for her mistake. I was glad to know she will, at least, learn from it.

And ellencee, I do hope you meant 40 Mg IV not IM would cause an untimely death.

And just curious. If she gave me the proper dose in the proper way, why would she so scared when she came back in? The only thing I said to her was what did she give me? When she came back, she cranked up the oxygen on me and kept listening to my lungs. And still with nothing said, she was so shook up she forgot to put the flush in the syringe and almost gave me air.

I know that you did not receive 40mg of Morphine IV and live to tell about it; therefore, you are either mistaken in your understanding of the dosage or you are speaking from the 'other side'.

Giving Morphine quickly IV can cause exactly the symptoms you describe and the actions the nurse took, increasing rate of oxygen delivery and listening to your heart and lungs, were appropriate interventions for your symptoms and were not necessarily based on the dosage or the route of delivery.

A resting heartrate of 135 is not good and it did not increase your chances of surviving anything; it increased the risk of your developing symptoms as you described regardless of the dosage or the route. Your compromised respiratory system also increased the risk of your developing the same symptomology.

You have little understanding of medications, standards of care, medication errors and follow-up, and no sense of humor. You exhibit controlling behaviors, delusions of grandeur, cynicism, cruelty, lack of compassion, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe the doctor did order 40mg of Morphine IM or IV for you. Perhaps it should have been given. Regardless, you have no legal leg on which to stand.

EC

 

[Idrivetrains]

Funny, I never wanted to sue. I didn't even want to report her. I finally got a hold of my sister who is an RN. She was a cardiac nurse in Mesa General till she became a traveler and just went to Hawaii. She finally called with her address and phone number. She's at the Kaiser-Preminente hospital on Waikiki. Impressive that they requested her. I told her what happened, and what you had said. She did say thanks for making her laugh. Your the type of nurse she is tired of working with. That is why she transfered to travel. Very nice, they pay for your apartment, help with mortgage payments, full benefits. Very nice pay. Yea, she laughed at you and said you need a refresher! Again thanks for helping me out when she was unavailable. Although it was panzer who gave the help. She said you should either stay out of medicine or actually learn something, people like you make her job so much harder. She was glad to hear you can't cut it as a nurse anymore and became a desk jockey. Who knows how many lives it saved. I don't need nor want you to validate my experience. I know it happened. The hospital has the proof it happened and my husband saw the syringe and saw it happen. I did promise her never to ask anything or check this site anymore. By the way I'm still not going to sue. My lawyer wants to but I said no. I feel I will get more than enough from the railroad for their negligence, and the trucker for blowing the crossing guards. My doctor has already had it out with the Director and had a meeting with the nurse to "educate her" as he said he was going to do. I did learn my lesson, never ask anyone else, wait for my sis. I have read all your cynical replies to others. Sorry you are so bitter. I am leaving happy, and now somewhat healthy.. I will be deleting this site so have a very happy life. I wish you all the best. Brush the dust off some of those books and don't be afraid to admit your wrong. At least the negligent nurse did. Now make fun of all this to make you feel better. If you actually read, you will find you were wrong.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

no ice cream for you.

 

[jypsy_rose_lee]

I had to have five straight days of around the clock chemo,I was also givin alot of morphine using my I.V I don't know how much I was givin but I'm sure it was what I was spose to be givin.I had the same symtoms along with nausea,it only lasted about half a minute.If it weren't for morphine I don't know how I could have handled the debilitating chemo.It's side effects may be alittle uncomfortable,but it was well worth it to me,to be releived of the pain.

 

[ellencee]

I had to have five straight days of around the clock chemo,I was also givin alot of morphine using my I.V I don't know how much I was givin but I'm sure it was what I was spose to be givin.I had the same symtoms along with nausea,it only lasted about half a minute.If it weren't for morphine I don't know how I could have handled the debilitating chemo.It's side effects may be alittle uncomfortable,but it was well worth it to me,to be releived of the pain.

exactly. You're not out looking to cause trouble; you are seeking a better quality of life.
I hope your are doing well; take care.
EC

 

[jypsy_rose_lee]

I'm doing pretty good EC thanks! I had my second round with NHLymphoma in 2004. It was a stage four.I came close to dieing by the time it was diagnosed. I had a stemcell transplant. Thank God they are coming up with something new all the time for cancer patients. Have you ever heard Mellissa Ethridge's new song that she wrote after battleing breast cancer? She talks about going off into a haze during treatment. That is what it was like for me taking morphine. The first time I took it the nurse explained to me the side effects,that they wouldn't last too long. The first time I had it administered to me was kind of scary but I can't really explain how I felt after the side effects past,only to say I wasn't within myself. It was sort of like the morphine put my soul at rest so my body could heal. I felt no pain and I didn't lay in my bed worried that I was going to die. I don't like taking meds,but at the time morphine was great! Modern medicine is great! I had my stemcell transplant at the Barnes and Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis,Mo and I can't say enough good things about the staff on the transplant floor.They were great!

 

[jypsy_rose_lee]

I can't beleive nor do I beleive that your lawyer wants you to sue! Do you have you perm. damages as a result of the morphine? Where I'm from an attorney won't even look at a claim unless there are damages and then it's still a maybe. I would like to say one more thing.I read these posts alot myself. I don't know EC personally,I can tell you this,She does have compassion for people who have been wrongly injured by medical personel. Don't beleive me,then read more of her post's that you have obviously overlooked. I have known her to tell people just what she thinks in answer to their stupid question's and beleive me they git all kinds on here. I also beleive that EC is very smart about medical procedures,meds,ect...If your sister is such an intelligent RN and I'm not saying she isn't then why didn't you just wait till she got settled to ask HER your question? I'm surprised she has no cell phone being a nurse and all.Oh and EC has been known to make mistakes before when answering a poster's question,but she has also went back and corrected her mistake.Please tell me what your damages are.I would love to know because if you have damages from being administered morphine,then I must have damages also because I have had tons of morphine administered to me.Funny though I haven't noticed any perm damages...lol