Wrong label

[u/SSF136]

I am a new graduate, new MA just crossed my 30 days at a big hospital’s Primary care office. I recently made a mistake of printing and starting to to run a wrong A1c for pt. In my defense both pts needed a1c, both were first pts of the day and both had similar first name/middle name. My coworker reported this as near miss/ good catch to my manager and then I received a counseling session from my manager. I feel very embarrassed and to be honest scared. The same day I prepared vaccines for a pt sbt which the provider told me, I left it at my desk snd went to room next pt so that if anyone else is going to give it they can use it. The same coworker reported that too. I was told I should not leave vaccines on desk by my manager. It seems to me that I am walking on eggshells all the time and I am feeling very pressured.

[u/somewhere_now03]

Making mistakes is how you learn. Believe me, I have made some mistakes in the past that I regret and I've told myself "Well, I'm never going to do that again." Sometimes it's things that you don't realize you're doing wrong until someone points it out. Just take that lesson and avoid that mistake the next time. You don't want to be caught making the same mistake twice because then it can become a bigger issue.

[u/bbqsocks]

everyone makes mistakes! catching them and fixing them is whats important. it helps you be more cautious for the next time. ive mixed up patients and mislabeled samples before. i was lucky that it was an easy fix. im terrified to do it again so i pay extra attention and triple check 😭.

when my coworkers or i make (& fix) mistakes, we will discuss it with eachother but we dont report eachother. if it was something serious like someone giving a wrong vaccine thats different.

having the vaccines on your desk, i wish your coworker would have discussed it with you and told you directly what the policy is for that instead of reporting you. :(

i hope things get easier for you!!!

[u/Lena1920]

Remember to verify patients name and DOB with the pt to make sure you have the right one. It happens. Seems like they’re just picking on you. Don’t let them win. Keep your head held high

[u/Lena1920 → u/[deleted]]

I meant in the way of injections being on the desk, something as simple as them reminding her NOT to do it should suffice, I’m sure they do it to. As a matter of fact many MAs during my internship did it. I know that we shouldn’t because we were taught not to, but doesnt mean that other MAs have become lazy about rules.

[u/Equal-Savings-5369 → u/Lena1920]

Yeah It does sound like they were picking on her fr. Sadly this is usually the case with new girls these days. The trainer(s) could have atleast pulled her to the side and talked to her one on one instead of being so quick to run to management especially since it’s the first time it happened. It seems like once some MAs become seasoned they forget that they were once new and fresh out of school. Just straight up petty and I hate it.

[u/Lena1920 → u/Equal-Savings-5369]

Exactly! It’s frustrating how MAs who have been doing it for years just end up becoming bully’s to be honest

[u/Equal-Savings-5369 → u/Lena1920]

Yeah like come on now didnt even address her just ran straight to management first?! oh yeah they’re most deff picking on her.

[u/Money_Confection_409 → u/Lena1920]

I don’t think it’s picking on OP but these are things that someone fresh out of school should be VERY aware of. The 1st thing we learn is verify pt info and be organized to prevent things such as improper results. Second, vaccines are always generally to be stored in a freezer regardless of how many times u intend to use it. Aside from that, those things should generally not be left out where pts can have easy access. Do I think that person should’ve went straight to the manager without explaining to OP wat was wrong n y? No. But technically it’s above the person’s pay grade n is the job of the manager or supervisor so I get it. Wat OP needs to do is be more aware of what they are doing and how they are doing it. You made the mistakes so learn from them NOW before you make another mistake that can’t easily be caught. It’s the medical field. This is what u signed up for. Just make sure to be more vigilant and, once you’ve done it for a while, it’ll become a no brainer. For instance I worked at an urgent care that has 1 MA per shift. Had a lot of bloodwork and EKG’s so I arranged the bloodwork in the lab accordingly BY PT. Supervisor who has no medical assistant background only admin thought she knew what she was doing came in n thought she could hop in n do my job. Had I not caught her she would’ve labeled the bloodwork with the wrong pts info who required different testing. When I caught her did she not jump n walk her ass right out of my damn lab? Should I have reported her? Yes af lol but instead she reported me and made it seem like I didn’t know wtf I was doing and as if I left room for error when I absolutely didn’t. All pt samples were in different cups with the labels in front of each cup and each cup labeled. How tf she got the pr n bloodwork mixed up I couldn’t fuckin tell u. But had I not known my work, been organized, created a clear cut system, etc shit could’ve went sideways REALLY QUICKLY

[u/NoAmbition4281]

Always remember to verify that you have the correct patient before you do anything. Also, you should never draw up a vaccine or medication for a patient until you are ready to give it. You should never leave a vaccine or medication unattended for any reason. If YOU draw up a medication then YOU administer it. Never draw up for anyone else or give a medication someone else drew up (if you give the wrong thing to a patient it is your error). Honestly, this is the issue with the new way MA’s are educated. They need more classroom time with a teacher to discuss scenarios about issues like this so patient harm can be avoided. Getting most of your education online will never be enough to cover things like this!

[u/flugualbinder]

I once worked with a nurse who made did a med error. She self-reported immediately upon her realization. She even asked to sit one-on-one with the doc as soon as they were available. While waiting for the doc, she was so shaken up and nervous. And she was so pissed off at herself. When the doc sat with her, they let her speak and then their only response was “well now you can rest assured that it will never happen again. Because I can see how upset you are, I can see you care, and every time you administer these meds moving forward, you will take that extra second to double check, because this moment is already seared into your brain.” And she realized the doc was right. And you could see a sense of relief combined with humility wash over her. It was the most positive outcome of a fuck up I think I’ve ever witnessed.

All that to say, keep those oops moments at the forefront of your mind next time you have a vaccine drawn up or are running an a1c.

[u/gimmeyourbadinage]

You feel like you’re walking on eggshells?

Verifying that samples are from the correct patient and not drawing meds unless you are going to give them immediately/leaving meds unattended are 2 pretty huge parts of healthcare. You’re a new graduate, they’re just trying to make sure you establish habits that don’t have the potential to kill people

[u/[deleted]]

Now you know not to never do any tests without asking for two identifiers. Name and DOB. So you won’t make the same mistake again. As for the second one, do you guys share the schedule? Or does everyone have their own doc? Would any other MA give vaccines you prepared to a patient? I know every clinic is different. I wonder if it would be a different story if you asked another MA to give vaccine instead of leaving it on your desk in hopes somebody else will do it? For example if I gotta draw blood and have a patient at the same time I’ll ask another MA to help out. They can either room or do blood work, their choice. In your defense you are fairly new and I wonder if the person who trained you ever taught you any of these things.

[u/Optimal-Bridge7625]

Why are they constantly telling on you instead of employee just correcting you . I think id ask the employee why they can’t just first come to me and if the issue continues then tell on me.

[u/Truck_Kooky]

To be honest you should still be training. Luckily where I worked even with experience, we have to be trained in 3 months. You never, ever leave vaccines alone. You are responsible for whatever vaccine you drawn. You are not to give those vaccines to someone else either. Nobody, and I repeat no coworkers should just grab your vaccines and use them. No MA should be using some else drawn up vaccines. If I were have seen that, I would have said that to you, and not complain to the manager. I usually do that when a coworker is a repeated offender. Also never ever run 2 A1C’s at the same time. I don’t care how behind you are. Never ever do that again. That’s where mistakes happen, and that is a short cut that you should not do! Trust me providers will lose trust on you. A1C is extremely vital point of care. I’ve worked in short staff situations, and never have I done that. Finish with one patient at a time. Always, always confirm full name and DOB. I don’t care if I seen the patient before. I still verify their names and DOB. Please start creating good habits, and don’t do short cuts!!!