am I out of line?

[neonalee]

Overall I love our daycare. They really love and interact with kids. They've accepted our cloth diapers and breast milk etc. Recently DS had an ear infection (and has been sick all winter except for 2 weeks) and was on augmenten for 10 days. We were using a regular push syringe to administer because the bulb head syringe thing just wasn't working. It was a smaller syringe so we using 3 of them to administer the full dose, otherwise we ended up squirting too much in his mouth and he would choke and spit it out.

So, we drop him off with the bottle (prescription is on the bottle) and the syringe and DP tells the drop off person what we've been doing.  8 days later we find out that she didn't pass on he 'fill the syringe 3 times' info and the woman who had been administering his morning dose was giving him so little it was irrelevant - like .25 instead of 2.5 I think it was.  Honest mistake, though kinda stupid.  So, another visit to his ped ($20), another prescription ($20), 10 more days on meds when I don't like him on meds to begin with, his digestion is getting screwed up (gotta work on those probiotics), and scheduled another checkup 10 days later (which will be another $20).  I was annoyed, but not actually angry.  Because I like them and they haven't screwed up and DS loves it there.

Monday we pick him up and they give us his bottle bag back and we have an important dinner appointment over an hour away.  When we go to give him his meds (still over an hour away) they aren't in the bag.  No answer at the daycare (home DC).  We had to go to CVS and fill another prescription, $37 because insurance wouldn't cover it again so soon.

Another thing, we had to keep him home yesterday because he had a rash on his face and we needed a note from the ped that it wasn't contagious.  We knew it was food related (he's 8  months, we're trying new foods), but OK, I understand.  So, another $20 doc visit for the note.  Our ped looked at us like we were crazy. 

Here's my question.  We asked for the $37 from the second (third really) bottle of med to be taken off the cost of the daycare.  And she was unhappy about it.  Because it's our responsibility because we only have 1 kid to keep track of and she has a bunch.  After all this - I feel like it's her fault he's on meds at all at this point.    Yeah, I guess we should make sure she gives us everything, but shouldn't she make sure she gives us everything as well?  Am I out of line?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

IMO, yes, your out of line.  And heres why:

1.) The directions of how his meds are to be administered should be in writing so that there is no second guessing.  At my DCP, and in my state actually, the doctor is to fill out and sign a form for ANY medications, but especially perscribed ones. Verbal directions are just too easily mixed up or misinterpreted. 

2.) I have two kids to round up every day, one with severe food allergies that require me to bring in certain things specifically for him to eat. Sometimes I have to bring things home so we have it for dinner.  Sometimes the kids are sick and have meds.  I find it my sole responsibility to make sure I bring home everything the boys need.  Meds included.  I just dont see how its the DCPs responsibility to make sure you have everything before you leave.  I liken it to my boss asking me if I have my inhaler in my purse before I leave the office, you know? 

[HollyBearsMom]

I see it as my responsibility to make sure that I have everything before I leave. Do she have some responsibility as well? Of course, but ultimately it will be me that is put out if I don't check so the onus is on me. 

Regarding the meds application I would never have given verbal instructions to the drop of person to begin with. I would have typed up what the dose was and how to administer the meds.  I would have sent the meds in a special container and have included these directions.  I would have also handed a copy directly to the owner/head of the daycare.  If that was not possible I would have at least followed up with phone call/email to make sure the information was communicated to the right people and to let them know the details were included in the med packet. 

Lastly I get the Dr's note thing, especially if she is a licensed CCP. Most daycares/school have rules in place like that to protect themselves and the rest of children. Sure you may think its food related and as a parent you *know* your kid but the CCP needs to know for sure and in some states make be required to have such a rule in place. 

So yeah I do think you were out of line.  I can see why she would be disgruntled having to shell out $37 dollars but I have to say I am impressed that she did. I think it was a really generous gesture on her part.

[syn_ack89]

I agree with PP that you are out of line. You should have given clear written instructions and validated them with person in charge. You are responsible for getting all your items. You should return the $37.

[Mosaic]

Yeah, I have to say that it's not her fault. I agree that she should have caught her dosing mistake earlier: but you should have caught it as well when you brought the medicine home and found that it wasn't decreasing at the rate it should have been. (For future reference, you can always use a larger syringe and give it to him little by little so he wouldnt' spit it out. I would never think of refilling it 3 times for a 2.5mL dose as that also introduces contamination into the medicine bottle.) Did he still have an ear infection later which necessitated another round of meds? It also could have been another cold and another ear infection, you never know.

And the multiple copays for tons of doc visits? Yeah, welcome to daycare. I don't mean that flippantly because I have a LO in FT daycare who also has weekly feeding therapy, so I pay at least one copay a week AND she's home sick today with a fever to boot. But thems the breaks, as they say.

If I were you, I'd give back the $37 along with an apology. If she really is great with your LO, it would be a shame to tarnish the relationship over something like this.

[neonalee]

OK Mamas, I'll take responsibility. BUT I want to point out the meds are in the pharmacy bottle with the pharmacy label with the dose on it. As required by law here. I see what you are saying about the meds could get contaminated and I should have thought of that. Here is our (faulty) reasoning. They gave us a bulb syringe and we were having a lot of difficulty dispensing in small amounts, plus the meds are so thick that they coat the inside of the syringe and made it impossible to measure correctly. We had a regular syringe from some previous med, but it was small, hence filling it 3 times per dose. Yes, we should have gone back to the pharmacy and seen what else they had (I've noticed now that different locations have different things).  We actually have a 5 ml one now that is perfect for this med.  I'm only disgruntled about the extra copays because they are a direct cause of her administering the wrong dose.  And yes, he still had the same ear infection which (according to the ped) was directly related to only getting half his meds for 8 days).  We took him to his ped the day after discovering she was administering the wrong amount, so day 9 of the first round of augmenten.

[SubliminalDarkness]

I don't even understand why daycare was administering antibiotics in the first place. IMO, that's something you should have been doing at home. 

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Because sometimes dosing is required 3-4 times a day, depending on how the perscribed it.  its happened to me before.  But my daycare requries specific written instructions from the doctor in order to administer.  They are also licensed to do so. 
 

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness 

I don't even understand why daycare was administering antibiotics in the first place. IMO, that's something you should have been doing at home. 

[HollyBearsMom]

Was the medication not being sent home each day? Did you not notice the levels were not decreasing?  By day 9 didn't you notice the bottle was still practically full? I mean if they were giving a a 1/2 dose that bottle would still been at least 1/2 full.

Regarding the bolded part- were you expecting the average DCP to read the label and determine the correct dosing when the dosing syringe didn't support that dose? Thats a lot of faith to put in someone. When it comes to meds there are risks in too little (as you know!) as well as too much. I would not be leaving that to chance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neonalee 

OK Mamas, I'll take responsibility. BUT I want to point out the meds are in the pharmacy bottle with the pharmacy label with the dose on it. As required by law here. I see what you are saying about the meds could get contaminated and I should have thought of that. Here is our (faulty) reasoning. They gave us a bulb syringe and we were having a lot of difficulty dispensing in small amounts, plus the meds are so thick that they coat the inside of the syringe and made it impossible to measure correctly. We had a regular syringe from some previous med, but it was small, hence filling it 3 times per dose. Yes, we should have gone back to the pharmacy and seen what else they had (I've noticed now that different locations have different things).  We actually have a 5 ml one now that is perfect for this med.  I'm only disgruntled about the extra copays because they are a direct cause of her administering the wrong dose.  And yes, he still had the same ear infection which (according to the ped) was directly related to only getting half his meds for 8 days).  We took him to his ped the day after discovering she was administering the wrong amount, so day 9 of the first round of augmenten.

[neonalee]

The med was sent home each day.  We didn't think anything of it because it says on the bottle to discard leftovers, and honestly it's hard to see - thick white liquid in a coated bottle.  Yes, in retrospect I should have realized though.  And yes, I did expect them to calculate the amt based on the size of the syringe.  And yes, that was also my mistake.

I'm seeing all the logic you mamas have posted.  I need to pay better attention and not have these expectations.  It's great if they see what I see, but I can't expect it.  Thanks for setting me straight :)

[SubliminalDarkness]

I guess I'm thinking of the Augmentin my kids have been on, which was twice a day every time. 
 

Originally Posted by ~Charlie's~Angel~ 

Because sometimes dosing is required 3-4 times a day, depending on how the perscribed it.  its happened to me before.  But my daycare requries specific written instructions from the doctor in order to administer.  They are also licensed to do so. 
 

[limabean]

Originally Posted by neonalee 

The med was sent home each day.  We didn't think anything of it because it says on the bottle to discard leftovers, and honestly it's hard to see - thick white liquid in a coated bottle.  Yes, in retrospect I should have realized though.  And yes, I did expect them to calculate the amt based on the size of the syringe.  And yes, that was also my mistake.

I'm seeing all the logic you mamas have posted.  I need to pay better attention and not have these expectations.  It's great if they see what I see, but I can't expect it.  Thanks for setting me straight :)

I just have to commend you on this mature reply -- it's hard to hear a bunch of people tell you that you're out of line! I can understand how this whole thing could have been quite frustrating, but it sounds like it's also been an important lesson. 

[neonalee]

LOL  Thanks Limabean

Yes, it is twice a day, but the hours we are gone combined with early bed time, combined with the fact that we can't feed him for an hour after he gets the meds or he vomits impressively ... mean he gets the morning dose at daycare.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Absolutly agreed.  And trust me when I tell you, OP.  I know first hand that Humble Pie tastes like @$$! LOL
 

Originally Posted by limabean 

I just have to commend you on this mature reply -- it's hard to hear a bunch of people tell you that you're out of line! I can understand how this whole thing could have been quite frustrating, but it sounds like it's also been an important lesson. 

[One_Girl]

Keeping track of the medicine is your responsiblity but making sure to administer it correctly is theirs.  I think you should suggest that they create a medication permission form along with a medication log where they track what was given, at one place my dd attended they had the parents sign the log daily to acknowledge that the medicine was administered correctly.  The rash thing is very common.  You wouldn't believe how many parents try to pass off a very contagious illness as teething, food related mild issue, or a change in laundry detergent.  It gets really suspicious when most of the kids get the same rash.  Sadly the parents that came before you have ruined it for everyone when it comes to following an illness policy.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

OH!  I forgot to mention that!  The kids always have daily sheets at my DCP, so that we know how often they were changed, what they ate, when, how much, etc.  Meds are ALWAYS written on that too.  GOOD IDEA!

[~pi]

Originally Posted by ~Charlie's~Angel~ 

Because sometimes dosing is required 3-4 times a day, depending on how the perscribed it.  its happened to me before.  But my daycare requries specific written instructions from the doctor in order to administer.  They are also licensed to do so. 
 

Just an option to consider for the future: When you are having the med prescribed, ask how often it needs to be given. If it's 3-4x/day, explain that that won't work because of daycare. Sometimes you can just take the total amount, divide it by two and give it morning and night. Other times you can get a different med. DS recently had to have 10 days of abx, and this is what we did because I just didn't want to deal with getting his school to give meds.

I know that technically a DCP should be able to give meds, but a prescribing physician or nurse can also prescribe something that fits a little better with your life and avoids the possibility of daycare mix-ups.

OP, I hope your little one is all done with the abx soon and feeling much better.