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Ore. Jury Convicts Nurse of Forging Prescription
AP
August 29, 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. — A judge has sentenced a jail nurse convicted of forging a prescription for an inmate who died hours later to 18 months probation.
William Lee James, 59, was convicted Thursday of giving Ativan, a sedative, to Jody Gilbert Norman, 49 at night in February of 2005. He indicated on a form that he had a doctor’s OK to do so and that the doctor had said he didn’t want to be awakened for approval to administer the drug.
Dr. Todd Engstrom denied giving those instructions.
Norman, who had a history of drug and heart problems, had been complaining of chest pains.
Norman died about three hours later. The Multnomah County district attorney’s office said it didn’t learn of the incident until late 2007
(c) YellowBrix 2008
kstiltner1
14 days ago
1326 comments
I don't take verbal orders. I hand them the chart.
Termite
2 months ago
4 comments
That is the very reason when ever a doctor gives me a verbal order for a medication, unless we are working a code, I hand the doctor the chart and have them write the order then I pull the med from the pixis system. It's a CoverMyA...... world.
Termite.
casassy62688
2 months ago
262 comments
Wow, makes you think twice. I'm not even a nurse, but when I draw blood and the doctor adds new tests before I see the patient, I make sure I have ALL the paper work in order before I draw the blood, my job could be jeopordized for stupid mistakes and it's not worth it to me.
gggirl
2 months ago
30 comments
My license is my life, I would not jeopordize it this way. At times I am even hesitant to take verbal orders. I try to keep the order sheets handy when talking to a DR. unfortunately in todays world it is at times all about CYA
JudeElf
2 months ago
6 comments
I would NEVER jeopordize my license just because a dr gets irate when he/she sleeps. NoOne has the right to disrespect me or my license, no matter who they are! Covering for someone is bogus and, as you can see, dangerous. I always ask myself twice before I carry out an order if it;s both legal & right. Cover thyself.
LPN2GO
2 months ago
22 comments
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE GOTTEN TO KNOW DOCTORS AND WENT AHEAD AND WROTE EVEN A TYLENOL ORDER? MAKES YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT EVEN THAT
trauma2009
2 months ago
8 comments
If its not documented then it was not said or done. GOOD lesson for everyone. CYA ALWAYS!!! wake the Dr. He is getting his pay for being on call...
dmazment
2 months ago
896 comments
Good lesson here....if it isn't documented then it wasn't said or didn't happen.
teejay21
2 months ago
10 comments
Your so right, Robin. It's a CYA world.
mashell4
2 months ago
564 comments
I agree Breniaha at any time someone could say that was not the order given, when you have documentations you never have to worry.
Breniaha
2 months ago
60 comments
NEVER trust anything that was said. If it was not documented then it falls on the back of the nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!