Please this is not a debate, there is no right or wrong answer to vaccines, I have done my research, many many hour and have chosen my decision about vaccine but My 4 month old daughter was given part (half the shot) of the Roto vaccine today before I got them to stop. I chose not to give this vaccine to her. the nurse said "oh she didn't get the first dose" I said "no, is that not marked in the charts?" I am furious, very mad, probably shouldn't be as mad as I am but none-the-less I am. I am much more conserened an try to be alert to the vaccines as my oldest had a bad reaction to a vaccine at 6 mo of age, so of course this makes me more prone to being concerned. This is not the first time this has happened I am sure; and I have had a close call with my son they chose to add the flu shot in with the mix a year ago and I caught it (we do NOT do the flu shots in this house). does this happen to many of you. How did you react. Input, advice, sympothy, I've been there's....!
Update, chart signing...we had to do that at our other Ped but we recemtly moved. I love the pediatrician it's the nurse that made the mistake, and don't get me wrong she is also a pretty good nurse, but i think this is a pretty major Oops. they don't even give the vaccine sheets out at this place either.
We always have to sign the chart before the shots are given. do you not have to do that?
I think carelessness in a doctor's office should not be tolerated. Although it was an offense to your personal standards, the real issue is it could have been something more dangerous. I think you should call and speak to the office manager or the head of the practice. Or find a new doctor.
In terms of whether it si common, I have combined acros my kids almost 9 years of pediatrician visits and I have never been given the wrong shot. They use the chart vaccine list where I sign for every needle in the basket. I did have an experience of a pharmacist thinking the doctor had prescribed the wrong dosage of medication. But it turns out it was purposeful and I was glad for the pharmacy checking.
I admit, I sort of giggled when I read what the shot was - my toddler just got over the rotovirus. Three weeks of diareha and vomiting. I would have given my left arm to have gotten that vaccine.
At our pediatrician's office we have to sign for each vaccine given and are given papers explaining each vaccine. Before hand the nurse says today we will be giving vaccines "x,y and z" and sometimes I say no not "x", we are going to wait on that one, etc. Then, if we are giving any shots I have to sign my name for each one. That does sound like a pretty big oops to me!
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I think it is your responsibility to make your wishes clear EVERY TIME you go to the doctor. The pediatricians do what they think is best for your child, so if you disagree then you need to make sure they know/remember each and every you go in. They should also check the charts more carefully. Were they vaccinating her for other things at the time? If not, how were they able to start the shot without you knowing? I'm just a little confused by the post. Hopefully they are more careful for you next time.
As a nurse who used to work in a docs office, (lung specialist though, NOT peds) we never did anything without the doc telling us. So that nurse got her instruction somewhere. I'd switch docs.
Hi,
I am so sorry this happened to you and your child. No, this hasn't happened to me--- in my ped's office we have a form that we fill out each time they are due for vaccinations. It has a list of the vaccines they are due for and if you want to do the vaccines, then you would sign the form and the nurse verifies the info with the parent before going to get the vaccines. They are very detailed and make sure you are aware of the ones given and have signed the forms. If I were you I would contact the doctor's hr mgr or higher authority and complain. I know that we are all human and we make mistakes, but this mistake that the nurse did was unacceptable. Someone needs to find out what was going on with her for her to be so careless and really reckless. What if your child had a complication due to this?? She should be reprimanded and have to be a lot more careful. They also need to have the vaccine sheets available for viewing. I would make a large enough stink that someone listens to you and does something about it. Your experience is unacceptable! So sorry that you went through this. I am mad for you~ I understand your anger and frustration--- Hope this works out.
Take care,
Molly
I'm not sure how often this happens, and it hasn't happened to me, but I understand your anger. I would have a very firm word with the pediatrician about this, however realize that this could very well have been an honest mistake. From now on, insist that before any vaccinations are given that the nurse verbalizes to you exactly what they are for. If they are not receptive to your concerns, I would try to find another pediatrician that is more understanding and better able to handle your requests.
Usually a doctor has to give the okay and the nurse does as asked. Even as an adult, I have to sign off on some vaccines and blood work that is done or not done.
I'd be angry too. And while we do vaccinate our kids, we wouldn't want it done without our approval.
Honestly, I'd switch docs pronto.
Years ago, I set up a protocol of inspecting the vaccine bottle before they injected it, due to the fact that I was doing some of the shots as monovalent, and we did dT instead of DTP with our two youngest, etc..., and some not at all. The expect me to, it's in the charts, yet the nurses often rolled their eyes at me. ONE TIME I caught a vax bottle that was past it's due date. They never rolled their eyes again. I liked the doc b/c he let me set up the schedule (didn't vax until after 2yo) and didn't give me a hard time about it.
If you otherwise like this practice, stick with them and just be more vigilant. If they give you a hard time about it, switch.
No, I have to sign something at my pediatrician's office every single time saying that my child is receiving a vaccine, and they always have me sign it before administering the shot, so there has never once been a mistake. I also have to sign something for every shot I refuse, stating that my doctor recommended the vaccine and I have been informed of the risks of refusing the vaccine. If this is a big deal to you (and it sounds like it is), I would absolutely address it with the pediatrician and say how concerned you are. If they don't address it, you may have to switch. I am concerned that without a paperwork trail, you will have difficulty keeping track of what vaccines have been given, and you'll have to be constantly correcting the nurse or doctor. Good luck.
Never has happened to me the routine @ my office is like this the nurse looks over chart see's what needs to be given or updated then the Dr comes in exam then asks that these will be given per age or updated nurse comes in rechecks age dose & vaccines and consent form must be signed before any shot is given at anytime I can agree or disagree either way it is documented.We have an electronic system now so all records are on file no matter where we go.If not I have my updated copies before I leave the exam room.
I would be absolutely FURIOUS!!!!! I got angry just reading your post and I don't know you or your family. Honestly, I would change your doctor/office and in finding a doctor/office to replace your current one, tell them your concerns and what has happened to you in the past and how important it is to you to be fully informed and for the staff to be fully informed and CAREFUL and RESPECTFUL of your choices and rights as a parent. I'm so sorry you are going through this, but I don't blame you one bit for being upset about it... and I would at the very least, change doctors/offices! I haven't had this experience with my pediatrician, but to be honest with you, we are so rarely at the doc's office... only for her annual checkups (thank goodness).... we don't get the flu shot either, so I don't even bother going in for those. Good luck
I think once my daughter was going to get an extra vaccine (it would not have hurt her to get it but no need for an extra prick and more crying). Thankfully I saw FOUR shots on the tray instead of THREE so I asked while the nurse was putting on gloves, she checked and said 'oh that is not suppose to be on here... thanks for being aware!" From that point on I have ALWAYS made it habit to ask the nurse as soon as she/he walks in with the shots what they are and if I hear something I do not notice, or should not be there I ask and get it sorted out. It has only happened the one time that an extra shot was on the tray but I rather be an involved parent w/questions then a clueless parent.
In your case when you check in maybe ask what shots will be administered that day, we usually get a print out that explains each shot while we are waiting so a great heads up for the parent(s) as to what is coming. I thought it was mandatory for any shots that the parent has to get info on the shot, so bring it up with the doc/check in people, maybe it varies from state to state (I see you are in WI, as am I and my nurse said that they have to give an info sheet about all shots given to cover there butts so they are not sued). Anyway also ask if there is a note on the chart or in the records that you are not doing certain shots or have a different shot schedule for your child(ren).
My son was given an extra dose of a vaccine at his eighteen month check-up. I didn't notice because he was scheduled to get four shots and four were on the tray. I found out that afternoon when the ped left a message on my cell phone, giving me her cell phone number and asking me to call. It was extremely scary because my ped isn't exactly the give out her cell phone number kind of doc and my son had some routine blood work done that morning. I was so sure they'd found something dire that when she explained to me the shot mix-up I was too relieved to get all that upset. The mix-up also caused my son to have to have two additional shots (one to make up the one he missed and another because the effectiveness of it was questionable when combined with the mistake shot).
It was a major mistake and I could have avoided it by just asking the nurse to review the shots on her tray. I knew what he was scheduled to get and would have noticed. I haven't had the nurse since, but to some extent feel like it was my lack of vigilance that was ultimately to blame.
My doc's office never gave us paperwork to sign but with every vaccination the doc explained what they were giving that day, the why's, and what to expect as far as fever or what have you. So for me there was never a mistake. Since this obviously is upsetting I would call the dr's office abd speak to him/her and explain your concerns/frustration. If he/she is a good dr, he/she will adress the nurse. Sorry this happened and good for you being so vigilant.
I am understanding that you are getting some vaccines, but limiting when and what? We sign at our doc's office for every shot. I've opted to get them all, so I honestly don't pay too much attention to what's going in in which syringe.
It seems like the nurse should be given a big talking to. Perhaps you should do as someone mentioned below and inspect the bottles that the vaccines are being drawn from, that way you can see before they bring in the needles what they are offering.
I'd also ask for the vaccine sheets. I like to have that information, even though I'm on child #3.
Call and have a talk with the doctor, make sure the nurse knows that this is a BIG DEAL.
jessica
