Question

Instructions: Using the Missouri Nurse Practice Act as a guide examine the following case scenarios and answer the questions that follow

Case 1:

KM was hired to work at the hospital for weekend shift work. KM worked with a preceptor at the hospital initially and then by herself. KM had access to the hospital’s Pyxis drug-dispensing system which required her fingerprint to access. Vials of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) began to disappear form the Pyxis the KM used while she was working. KM reported to the pharmacy of the hospital o several occasions that the Pyxis she was using was out of Benadryl. Hospital officials began to closely monitor the use of the Pyxis machine by KM and reviewed Pyxis reports from the machine KM used. Hospital officials discovered that 34 vials of Benadryl were removed from the Pyxis that KM had been using. KM had not documented the administration, waste or return of the medication to the Pyxis. KM had inquired of a hospital pharmacist during the period she worked at the hospital about specific dosage information of Benadryl in relation to her son. Hospital officials confronted KM about the missing Benadryl and informed her that the Benadryl could only have been removed using her access information to the Pyxis. KM was terminated from employment by the hospital. At the board of nursing hearing KM states that her son received Benadryl daily and she spoke to the hospital pharmacist about the amount her son receives. KM testifies that if the Pyxis system can’t read your finger, a password could be used. KM states that three people had her password and could have gotten in under her name.

QUESTIONS:

1. What provisions of the nurse practice act were violated in this case?

2. What disciplinary action should the board take?

Answer 1

1.KM has violated Provision 4 (She has violated her accountability and responsibilities in maintaining the  drug properly . Also there is misuse of the authority given to her by using the drug from the pharmacy )

This is an act of Nursing malpractice where she has used the hospital property and also a controlled substance for her personal reasons which is a legal issue.

2.The disciplinary action which should be taken by the board are

• To hold the nursing practice license
• To lay penalty
• Memo for malpractice
• Strict warning and placing in probation period ,if the mistake is done for the first time .