IV left in place at discharge

[notperfect]

Hello, I'm an RN of 22 years & on Friday I forgot to d/c a peripheral IV upon pt's d/c from day surgical unit. The family phoned, when the arrived home, to ask for guidance. Because it was after 4PM on Friday, and they live 1 hour from the hospital (depending on traffic) I didn't think it wise to have them return if they felt comfortable removing it with my guidance. They were not upset by the event, removed the catheter successfully, and I had them photograph the site after the removal.
I have been sick with extreme anxiety all weekend. I'm new to the department, and have not yet passed my 3 month mark as a full-time staff nurse. The MD was quite upset about the event, remarking that she felt it "was careless" and "reflected badly on the institution". The surgeons are going to discuss it in their weekly departmental meeting. I feel like I'm up against a firing squad.
Feedback?

[amygarside]

Well, it is a bit on the careless side because when doing this kind of procedure one must think to be careful. However, we are only human and can make mistakes. It is a good thing it is not a life and death situation. Just stay calm and being nervous will not help. Explain what happened and make sure you are as honest as you can be on what happened. As long as you are honest then that is the best that you can do at the moment.

[Jhawka19]

Ok, come on! This is something that is very easy to forget to do. Especially with the pace most RNs are having to work. sure, It is a mistake.....and we are not supposed to make any mistakes, however, how many surgeons have made far greater mistakes? It is a time for education and perhaps a time for evaluating the current systems in place at the facility to assure it does not happen again.
The problem with the firing squad is just that....too many that are eagar to pull the trigger on someone else. Are they just as willing to take the wrath when they make a mistake? Perhaps writing for a medication that is not compatible with something the patient is on, forgetting to DC a mediation on a follow-up etc. Mistakes are commonplace and we all need to be careful and to also learn form our mistakes and those of other. But one thing I do know........ if there is a cutting block for those that make them, not only is it more likely they will occur just from the stress and fear of making one, but then the mistake are not reported and systems don't develop so they can be prevented.

We have ALL made mistakes at our job! Lets work to together to minimize them!