Posted on 12/04/2007 3:28:51 PM PST by ShadowDancer
You know so little about nursing....Considering your knowledge base and area of expertise, your position is understandable.
Unfortunately, you are wrong, and no matter the outcome of the Quaid’s reasonable case, I would bet that the vials get a color change by the manufacturer.
...entire world....??? How about the color of an easily mistaken vial? I won't call you a name, for the sake of your dignity, but I will imagine doing it.
Agreed on what seems to me a matter of common sense.
No one is suggesting that they remove the actual information and go with solely color-coded vials...
Color coding is a standard solution to these types of errors - another line of defense in addition to the dosage labelling.
People will make mistakes, even the most careful people do. The way to correct these issues is to use the time tested means of idiot, errr, mistake proofing processes.
The problem is that the manufacturer hasn’t addressed a situation which has already cost lives. Baxter is lucky the suits aren’t in the millions this time.
I know my eyesight strength is variable throughout the day and in different lighting. The vials are small, the writing tiny, and even excellent nurses get a little bleary-eyed at times. It’s an easy enough fix to color code the labels and notify medical personnel of the change, and the reasons for it. Caution is not a vice in the hospital.
Lovenox uses color coding. Thank God. :D
Ditto from a med tech. Different colors, etc, are essential for assisting us to not make errors.
Long established fact in the medical community. And the idea has long been in use as well.
If a mistake was made (and it was) it was the person administering the heparin.
But of course, the hospital has more money to take. Typical lawyer maneuver.
Additionally, we have been using color for reagents in blood banking for as long as I can remember.
I’m not arguing that changing the labeling might not be a simple and effective way to address this ONE problem with this ONE drug. What I am arguing is that the underlying legal theory of the Quaids’ suit will not apply solely to this problem with a drug, but will, as a LEGAL theory, open the door for new lawsuits with the potential to encompass virtually the entire manufacturing, distribution, and sales economy...and THAT would be unfortunate for everybody BUT the lawyers and a few “lucky” plaintiffs.
Last post on this - the unbelievable insults, rudeness, and sheer unprovoked hostility I’ve received, especially on PM, shows that some people may have forgotten to take their meds this evening.
I think they are doing this to prevent the same thing from happening to other children.
With more hospitals going to foreign born/trained staff, I wonder if there might have been a language barrier.
in my profession we are tested and must pass color-blindness tests. I suspect it is the same in pharmacy and nursing.
“Last post on this - the unbelievable insults, rudeness, and sheer unprovoked hostility I’ve received...”
Don’t let it bother you.
I’m an RN...have been away from nursing for some time, but we never had “color coded” labels. Before dispensing any medication, I checked and double checked the dosage...simple. I would think every nurse should do that.
Before my mom died, at the age of 90, she was in a hospital in Virginia. Naturally, as a nurse, I checked everything they did for her. I had to correct them on the dosage of a med they were giving her. Every nurse on every shift seemed to be making the same mistake.
It didn’t cause her death, but I couldn’t understand how everyone was miscalculating the dosage. Just carelessness.
If I could give advice to everyone out there...know what you or your family member is supposed to get, and check to see if the dosage is correct!
Bingo. Patients are always responsible for helping with safety. I once stopped an RN from giving my son 10 units of insulin instead of one. Two of them argued with me for a good ten minutes and insisted they were correct for quite some time before finally realizing their error. I never ever am offended when a patient questions me in any way, and I always try to thank them for asking about their labwork.
I also wanted to add that the best presentation I have ever seen on safety is one given by John Nance Productions. reviews here
As a pharmacy technician I also agree. This has been a problem for years, and if the mfgrs don't address the problem themselves, the govt will. And then we'll all be screwed.
You’ve explained this very well. Anyone who has family members who are patients in a hospital should want this situation corrected so that they won’t also be harmed. If it takes a lawsuit to prevent further deaths of babies, so be it.
Were you practicing in the days when there was a medication nurse and she was not to be interrupted or disturbed for any reason, so as to minimize the chance for error? In their rush to save money hospitals violate important nursing principles and tragic mistakes happen.
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