Middlesbrough nurse struck off for giving wrong medication for the second time

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after a meeting made the decision not to allow Marriettah Munah Miles to practice again.

In the report it stated that on the nightshift of October 23/24, 2018 in relation to a patient, Ms Miles did not check the medical front sheet to ensure the patient details were accurate before administering medication.

She did not check the photograph of the patient attached to the medical front sheet to ensure that the correct patient had been identified before giving medication.

She administered the patient one or more of the following medications prescribed for another patient: Clozapine, Amisulpride, Paracetamol, Procyclidine and Ferrous sulphate. Ms Miles indicated to a colleague that she would start CPR on the patient when it was inappropriate to do so.

The report continued: "Upon realising your action you did not immediately report the medication error. Did not seek medical assistance. Did not carry out observations on the patient frequently or at all. When questioned by colleagues you denied that a medication error had occurred. You were dishonest in that you represented that you had not made an error when you knew that you had. When paramedics attended you told them that you had only administered Clozapine in error to the patient. You were dishonest in that you knew you had administered other medication to the patient but were trying to minimise the extent of your error. You did not carry out 15 minute observations of the patient. And in light of the above, your fitness to practise is impaired by reason of your misconduct."

Ms Miles was employed as an agency nurse at Parkville Care Home in Middlesbrough which is part of the Prestige Group.

The report stated that there were two residents at the home with the same first name - one being the patient who was administered the wrong medication - however Ms Miles was required to check the details contained on the medication front sheet for each resident to assist with identification.

Despite this, she administered the wrong medication to the patient. As a result of the error, the patient suffered actual harm and ultimately required admission to hospital.

In the report on behalf of Ms Miles the Royal College of Nursing said: "Mariettah Miles has admitted the regulatory concerns and charges throughout these proceedings. She has sought at every turn to assist the NMC in bringing this matter to a conclusion that protects the public and the reputation of the profession."

The report added: "This is not the first time Ms Miles has been referred to the NMC. After finding the facts proved, the panel was provided with the decision letter from an NMC fitness to practise hearing which took place in March 2016. At this hearing, Ms Miles admitted to making a number of medication errors and dishonestly attempting to hide her mistake. On this occasion, no patient harm was caused and Ms Miles received a six month suspension."