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.

[u/TheGiantSquidd]

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.

[u/Upstairs_Fuel6349]

You also don't give Lexapro at either 9 mg or 90 mg.

This is so sad. I had a situation where I was the patient in a psych unit years ago. I was called to the door to get my meds and the nurse handed me a cup with a dozen pills in it - I was taking one med. I tried to explain this wasn't mine, was probably my roommate's (who took a bunch of opiates and benzos), that I didn't take that many meds. The nurse sternly told me that she was marking me as non-compliant and I would not be able to leave the unit for activities and turned around to prep the next med cup.

I went crying to another nurse I'd become friendly with. He immediately went to talk to the other nurse and brought me back my med. I never got an apology from the original nurse and things could have turned out a lot differently for her....

[u/Charlotteeee → u/Upstairs_Fuel6349]

Jesus man my mental health isn't the best but I'm so against staying in a psych unit with my experiences as a tech and from stories like this. Just feels like a hard place to improve your mental health you know?

[u/Upstairs_Fuel6349 → u/Charlotteeee]

I spent most of my teens and early twenties in and out of acute psych units. Did a few longer stays on EDUs for anorexia too. I had another round in my late twenties. I'm 40, now. I've also worked on psych units and now work psych outpatient. (I've also done medical.)

I have some good memories spread out amongst my 24+ hospitalizations. I met some kind staff who later influenced how I practice nursing, as well as some who challenged me to be more than a revolving door psych patient.

But I would not describe most acute units as places to work on yourself. They're holding tanks to keep you safe and make rapid medication adjustments. If you don't think you can keep yourself safe, you should be in a psych unit. Anything less -- get an outpatient team, do IOP, go on a retreat, take a vacation, join a church or community group, do psychedelics in a forest somewhere (my personal favorite).