Incorrect dispensing of a POM

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gunnergundog

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What would you do if you were dispensed the incorrect POM for your dog?

I am talking 100mg tabs as opposed to 50mg; the dosage information was not adjusted on the label nor was I given any verbal information as to the change when I collected the tabs at reception a few days ago. It is sheer fluke that I noticed - purely due to the fact that the 100mg tablets are somewhat larger than the usual ones.

Am planning on calling the vets first thing tomorrow and asking to speak to one of the senior vets. However, they became part of a large conglomerate less than a month ago. Can't find any complaints procedure on their website.

How serious is this?
 
I think it is very serious.

I think, if you are not satisfied with the grovelling response from the vets on Monday morning, I would contact the vet regulatory body with a complaint.

Everyone makes a mistake, but I would want to know they are changing procedures so such a mistake can't happen again.

I would not expect money off the bill as you have not suffered any loss (fortunately).
 
It is an NSAID. However, said drug is prescribed in conjunction with others ............on its own it has no effect but with something else it keeps dog happy and pain free.
 
I would contact the vets and speak to the practice manager or clinical director, then it will be raised (or should) in a meeting.
These things do happen but it needs to be checked that it is not the same person making lots of mistakes and if it is raised then protocols should be put in place to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
 
Red-1 said:
Everyone makes a mistake, but I would want to know they are changing procedures so such a mistake can't happen again.
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Indeed. I know nothing about vet dispensing procedures but back in the late 60's/early 70s when I worked as a Saturday girl at Boots on the Chemist counter, any prescriptions had to be dispensed by either the pharmacist or dispenser and then counter-signed by the other. Am guessing that this is the case here as there are worryingly two indecipherable sets of initials on the packaging.
 
Sandstone1 said:
Which Nsaid? Rimadyl, Previcox or some thing else. It is a serious mistake. Did you give the dog any before noticing?
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Neither of the ones you mention....Carprox used in conjunction with Gabapentin for DISH. No, the dog did fortunately not receive any.....am supposed to give 1.5 tabs once a day and fortunately, I noticed the discrepancy in size when going to cut one of the tabs up before mixing it with the usual sardines in oil to administer. If the dog had had an increased dose I would have been straight on to the emergency out of hours phone don't worry. Am just trying to get a feel as to the severity of the potential situation before talking to the practice tomorrow.
 
A least you noticed before giving them to the dog. I guess it depends on whose fault it is. Did the vet prescribe the wrong strength or did who ever dispensed them mistakenly give you the wrong strength.
Mistakes do happen but you should speak to a senior vet or practice manager.
I wouldn't expect much more than an apology.
 
I'm guessing from your description that the label was correct (for the strength you usually receive) but the tablets do not correspond?

If so as a dispensing error rather than a prescribing error it should have been picked up during the double checking process (the two sets of initials) which is disappointing. I would ask to speak to the practice manager or senior clinician and report it as a near miss. It should result in swift replacement, an apology and a review of their dispensing practices.

ETA: You could also ask to see their dispensing policies/SOPs, especially if they are PSS accredited.
 
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blackcob said:
I'm guessing from your description that the label was correct (for the strength you usually receive) but the tablets do not correspond?
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It's a right ******* muddle, to use a technical expression.

The label specifies 100mg - it is normally 50mg.
The dosage on the label specifies 1.5 tabs once a day....this is correct for 50mg tabs NOT 100mg tabs.

The plastic envelope contains 85 tablets......in blister packs of ten.
There are 7 packs of 100mg tabs
1 pack of 50 mg tabs
Plus five odd tabs of 100mg

Someone (or more??) was definitely having an off day.
 
That's a two-fold cock-up then. :o

The incorrect label is down to the prescribing vet, the incorrect dispensing down to whoever initialled it, and the handover should have been made by someone deemed competent by the vet, so that goes back to them too.

Mistakes happen but they could possibly do with dusting off their SOPs and having a practice meeting to review their dispensing procedures.
 
I would be worried that they’d given me the wrong thing, but when I was given the wrong meds (painkillers as opposed to antibiotics!!) I noticed when I was given the packet and the nurse was very apologetic. Give them a telling off, but I don’t think it’s worth going too crazy. Good job you noticed!
 
cinnamontoast said:
. Give them a telling off, but I don’t think it’s worth going too crazy. Good job you noticed!
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I think that ought to depend on their attitude when you speak to them. If they are appropriately sorry and tighten up procedures so it won’t happen again I’d probably let it go this once, but if they don’t appreciate the severity of the mistake I’d kick up a right old fuss.
 
Can I put in a few words in defence of the vet practice? (I'm a vet receptionist). In our practice - vets work 12hr + days. They deal with emergencies as they come. They are often in tears due to the stress of what they do - animals they can't help, owners that love their pets but can't afford treatment, abuse cases, it goes on and on and on. They often get no break whatsoever between consult slots - they have inpatients and ops to deal with, or home visits. The vet nurses are also under huge pressure. We have it easy on reception - of course the phone never stops, and we have a million and one admin tasks while we are also setting up free insurance, pet health club, dealing with insurance claims, calling people to advise that the ashes of their beloved pets are back, ordering stock...we seriously never stop, but at least we can walk away when our shift ends.
I'm not defending the mistake, and yes, it's one which could have had serious consequences - but what I'm saying is please cut them some slack. They will take it seriously without you going in all guns blazing, and no harm was done, due to your vigilance. Vets and vet staff (in my experience) care a great deal, too much for their own well being sometimes, and adding to their stress by starting grievance procedures or whatever will not be helpful to anyone.
 
cinnamontoast said:
I would be worried that they’d given me the wrong thing, but when I was given the wrong meds (painkillers as opposed to antibiotics!!) I noticed when I was given the packet and the nurse was very apologetic. Give them a telling off, but I don’t think it’s worth going too crazy. Good job you noticed!
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I was proscribed Amoxycillin once by a doctor, I’m allergic to Penicillin and it’s not just a case of wrong dose but it would kill me. I noticed on the script before taking it to the pharmacy and went back to the doctors and they apologised and did a new script. They didn’t bend over backwards but it got sorted. People make mistakes.
 
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