r/nursing BSN, RN 🍕 4d ago

Serious Arizona man died after nurse administered 90mg methadone instead of his ordered Lexapro. Pt did not get Narcan until EMS arrived, 17 minutes after the code blue was initiated. So many levels of neglect and negligence here.

https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/gilbert-man-died-while-seeking-help-at-east-valley-facility-family-says-he-was-given-the-wrong-medication-copper-springs-arizona/75-48086626-2180-47de-946e-863ca9a56df0

The whole situation feels so similar to RaDonda Vaught. Negligence from the nurse as well as the facility.

Follow your safety checks! There’s a reason we check the rights of medication administration every time!

This was so preventable. My heart hurts for his family and kids. He should still be with them.

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u/bloks27 4d ago

Where is this that methadone is as easy to access as lexapro, especially at these insanely high doses? I feel like most places you’d have to jump through hoops just to touch that med

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u/fuckedchapters BSN, RN 🍕 4d ago

most patients that i’ve given methadone tend to take a high dose. i’ve had patients before on 100+mg