Walk of Shame

I got written up today. 4 years at the same job and I got written up. It was for a very stupid reason too. It wasn't because I had yelled at patient or had given poor care. Nope. I got written up for a misplaced mouse click. My boss called me into her office and showed me a sheet of labs with my name at the top saying I had printed it.

Dang Technology.

I had printed a patient her labs of the computer which apparently I am not supposed to do without having her sign a consent. And to top it all off, I printed the wrong patient's labs off. This is a HIPAA violation. Ouch. I feel like a complete moron. I totally know better. My boss was sorry that she had to write me up. She said she wished she could play it off or make it a verbal warning but she couldn't because it involved higher ups and all that jazz. I think she is used to people whining and trying to fight it because she was like "Do you understand? I am sooo sorry!". Yeah I understand. Obviously I did it. Obviously they are for the wrong patient. I won't be doing that anymore that's for sure.

I was glad in a way that it happened because it was a reminder that everything I do can have repercussions. In a hospital, you have to be ever mindful of everything you do because it can come back and bite you. I need to be very careful and precise with all charting and especially printing. I also had a nice chat with my boss because I don't spend time in her office very often. She asked how I was feeling about everything and if there is anything that is causing me trouble. I told I don't feel too awfully comfortable managing medication drips because I don't do it very often and that I hoped all my charting was thorough enough. We talked about it for awhile and I feel a bit better after our conversation.

I still love my job and (almost) all the people I work with. There is always a helping hand around. Someone to turn to for advice. No one ever makes me feel stupid. I am finally beginning to connect with my coworkers. It's going to be tough when I decide to leave someday because I am quite comfortable in my little emergency department. That's not always a good thing.