Nurse: "I made a mistake"

[Lucy0945]

I called my practice nurse for the results of my blood test for rubella etc...this morning and was told that I was not immune to rubella and told to avoid people suspected of having it during pregnancy.

Worried, I did a bit of research about complications that can arrise if you catch rubella (which is very very rare). But still, I spent three hours worrying myself.

I also told my boss as there's a lady in work with suspected rubella.

I decided to call the nurse back because I had bloods done previously as we had been TTC for more than a year, and vaguely remember being tested for rubella immunity and it never raised as a problem. Plus I remember very clearly having the vaccine when I was in school.

So, anyway, she called back a while later and said: "I'm glad you called back. I was reading your results late this morning and read them incorrectly. You are immune to rubella." She didn't even apolgise.

Obviously I'm very happy that I'm immune but quite angry that she made such a silly mistake which led to me (the world's worst worrier) having a really rubbish day thinking the worse.

Sorry, I know everyone makes mistakes. Just needed to rant.

 

[Charlotte-j]

 

[orangefish]

rant away We're hear to listen xx

 

[alynn6758]

I would have chewed her out! lol

 

[aragornlover8]

I would be pretty t'd off at that! But I'm glad that they were wrong.

 

[Lucy0945]

I think she got her < and > mixed up. Hopefully she's got it right this time. I will be asking for the results to be printed out.

 

[HippieJess]

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I got a voicemail from the recptionist at my doc's office the other day. She told me I needed to come in for genetic counciling. When I called back no one knew what I was talking about. Turns out I just need to be signed off by the high risk ob.

 

[happybeany]

At least it wasn't the other way round hun! That would be a million times worse xxx

 

[Lucy0945]

Imagine if she made that mistake with the HIV test or something...not good.

 

[Tonnilou]

COR what buggers, am glad she was wrong and you found out but still. Grrr *hugs*

 

[Lucy0945]

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I got a voicemail from the recptionist at my doc's office the other day. She told me I needed to come in for genetic counciling. When I called back no one knew what I was talking about. Turns out I just need to be signed off by the high risk ob.

That's horrible. I would have been so worried.

 

[ummar]

Grrr, she could have at least apologised.

 

[ellieb31]

If you don't mind me asking, when did you have your bloods etc taken? I had my booking in appointment last week and she didn't tell me that I would need to call in so I just assumed that they would call me if there were any problems but maybe they are waiting for my call? She also found protein in my urine sample so I guess I really should call in next week for proper results?

 

[lisaf]

Some of you may know my story... how the doctor's office told me I was pregnant from the urine test they did (I hadn't tested in 3 days so figured it was possible)... Then called me 2 hours later to say they screwed up and the technician had used someone else's urine and thought it was mine!!!
Mine was labeled... and so was the other person's.. the tech was just lazy! The only reason they figured it out is because the tech had actually left my urine still in the cupboard so when it was there an hour later they were confused.
I had already had my blood drawn so I had to wait for those results which were negative.
I was sobbing hysterically the whole time.

The only positive outcome is that I really think my doctor's office handled the incident well. The person got a formal reprimand on their record, they had an all staff meeting to discuss it and go over procedure with everyone and added a step to the procedure to prevent it happening again. I got huge apologies and they rushed my bloodwork and stayed late to give me the results etc.

I did find that this has happened to a LOT of other women!

I think what your nurse did was horrible, but mistakes DO happen. The worst part of it is how she didn't apologize or anything!!! I would be tempted to file a complaint on her so its on her record in case she does this stuff a lot! Because clearly she didn't think it was a big deal ... what if she gave someone the wrong results from a downs syndrome test/amnio, didn't REALIZE she'd made a mistake and the person terminated it?

 

[Lucy0945]

If you don't mind me asking, when did you have your bloods etc taken? I had my booking in appointment last week and she didn't tell me that I would need to call in so I just assumed that they would call me if there were any problems but maybe they are waiting for my call? She also found protein in my urine sample so I guess I really should call in next week for proper results?

Bloods are normally taken by the midwife in my area at the booking-in appointment at about 12 weeks. But because I'm moving country in two weeks, I was told to get my practice nurse to do them instead (on Monday) so that I can take them with me in my notes when I move. I'm having an 12-week NHS scan at 10 wks to take with me as well.
Just read your question again - I was told to call for the results today (Friday) so four days later. They lost my blood type test so have to have that repeated on Monday.

 

[Lucy0945]

Some of you may know my story... how the doctor's office told me I was pregnant from the urine test they did (I hadn't tested in 3 days so figured it was possible)... Then called me 2 hours later to say they screwed up and the technician had used someone else's urine and thought it was mine!!!
Mine was labeled... and so was the other person's.. the tech was just lazy! The only reason they figured it out is because the tech had actually left my urine still in the cupboard so when it was there an hour later they were confused.
I had already had my blood drawn so I had to wait for those results which were negative.
I was sobbing hysterically the whole time.

The only positive outcome is that I really think my doctor's office handled the incident well. The person got a formal reprimand on their record, they had an all staff meeting to discuss it and go over procedure with everyone and added a step to the procedure to prevent it happening again. I got huge apologies and they rushed my bloodwork and stayed late to give me the results etc.

I did find that this has happened to a LOT of other women!

I think what your nurse did was horrible, but mistakes DO happen. The worst part of it is how she didn't apologize or anything!!! I would be tempted to file a complaint on her so its on her record in case she does this stuff a lot! Because clearly she didn't think it was a big deal ... what if she gave someone the wrong results from a downs syndrome test/amnio, didn't REALIZE she'd made a mistake and the person terminated it?

Oh my God that is awful. I'm really sorry that this happened to you.


I don't think I'm going to make a complaint (even though they also managed to lose my blood type test which I now have to have repeated). People do make mistakes and I'm just so glad I'm immune - assuming she's given me the correct results this time!

But you're right - image if it was the downs test, or the hiv test or something...

 

[lisaf]

Yeah, I understand not wanting to make a big deal out of it. I really didn't want the person who screwed up to be fired for anything... I'd rather have a person who made a mistake, faced consequences etc and is more careful there than someone new who may do the same stupid thing!
However, a single complaint won't do anything... you make the complaint so that its on record, they have a chance to be reprimaned/make improvements... and if they keep making mistakes (or if this is their 10th mistake etc) then something more drastic is done.

Her attitude scares me more.. if she was super apologetic and taking action herself to correct it... then yeah, no need for a complaint. Thats just how I see it though, its totally your call!

This happens all the time at work... someone screws up... nobody writes them up because they figure they 'learned' their lesson... then they screw up again... and again... and again... and finally the bosses are pissed enough and want to fire them.. but because nobody documented any of these incidents, they have no grounds to fire them. Oh.. and the boss gets mad about it.. but do they document the latest incident either? Nope!!! I've seen this happen at EVERY single job I've ever had!

 

[wantbaby2]

I called my practice nurse for the results of my blood test for rubella etc...this morning and was told that I was not immune to rubella and told to avoid people suspected of having it during pregnancy.

Worried, I did a bit of research about complications that can arrise if you catch rubella (which is very very rare). But still, I spent three hours worrying myself.

I also told my boss as there's a lady in work with suspected rubella.

I decided to call the nurse back because I had bloods done previously as we had been TTC for more than a year, and vaguely remember being tested for rubella immunity and it never raised as a problem. Plus I remember very clearly having the vaccine when I was in school.

So, anyway, she called back a while later and said: "I'm glad you called back. I was reading your results late this morning and read them incorrectly. You are immune to rubella." She didn't even apolgise.

Obviously I'm very happy that I'm immune but quite angry that she made such a silly mistake which led to me (the world's worst worrier) having a really rubbish day thinking the worse.

Sorry, I know everyone makes mistakes. Just needed to rant.

she should have apologized for heaven sake

 

[wantbaby2]

Yeah, I understand not wanting to make a big deal out of it. I really didn't want the person who screwed up to be fired for anything... I'd rather have a person who made a mistake, faced consequences etc and is more careful there than someone new who may do the same stupid thing!
However, a single complaint won't do anything... you make the complaint so that its on record, they have a chance to be reprimaned/make improvements... and if they keep making mistakes (or if this is their 10th mistake etc) then something more drastic is done.

Her attitude scares me more.. if she was super apologetic and taking action herself to correct it... then yeah, no need for a complaint. Thats just how I see it though, its totally your call!

This happens all the time at work... someone screws up... nobody writes them up because they figure they 'learned' their lesson... then they screw up again... and again... and again... and finally the bosses are pissed enough and want to fire them.. but because nobody documented any of these incidents, they have no grounds to fire them. Oh.. and the boss gets mad about it.. but do they document the latest incident either? Nope!!! I've seen this happen at EVERY single job I've ever had!

Hi Lisaf I didn't realize untill now that you live close to me compared to people who lives in London.I live in Moorpark CA

 

[lisaf]

ooh, hey there neighbor!! I think we need a US girls thread for people due in May!! Lol.. I love hearing what strollers/cribs people are looking at, but get jealous of all the stuff in the UK that we can't get here!
You are super close though!! We'll have to share any local shopping tips... I'm sure I'll be driving out to Ventura/Oxnard for most of my shopping!!