Caution to parents that use Hope Pediactrics (in Seneca, Pennsylvania).
On August 17th my son had his 12 month check up where he was to receive 3 vaccines. MMRV, Pneumococcal 13, and Hep A.
I received a call from the nurse manager at Hope's two days later informing me that the nurse assistant who administered these vaccines made a mistake and gave him two Pneumococcal 13 vaccines instead of a Hep A. I was genuinely worried and concerned as I didn't know if It was serious or could have any short term or long term affects. The nurse manager could not answer that because she wasn't sure (she did say that vaccines are pretty forgiving, tho), and even said when calling the vaccine company to report the mistake, they couldn't confirm that info either because there hasn't been case studies done on it. That's not how the vaccine is intended to be used. I called the vaccine company for some peace of mind and was told the same thing. I was even more
Worried now that no one could at least reassure me that it wasn't a big deal or harmful.
I expressed to the nurse manager that my trust was broken and how was I supposed to trust them now to which she replied that I could always double check the vaccine to make sure it's correct before they administer it. I couldn't even believe what I had just heard. In what universe should I (someone with zero medical training) have to double check the label on a vaccine to make sure it's correct. What about the other patients? Should they be doing this, too?! Because I'm sure none of them will ever hear about this situation unless
through me..and would never think they even needed to!
Not really sure where to go from there, I said to the nurse manager that I wanted to have a meeting with the doctor who owns the practice along with the nurse assistant who administered the vaccine. I was told this meeting would be set up and someone would call and confirm the time.
A week goes by and I hear nothing so I call back and insists the meeting is happening that day. During this meeting they did apologize and both said it was a huge mistake that should never have happened. The doctor did say that he didn't believe it would cause any problems aside from the possible side effects they have you watch for noramally and them possibly being a little worse. Maybe not, but this still a baby who was carelessly given an extra dose he didn't need! The doctor went on to tell me the procedures that are in place to prevent these types of mistakes. When I pointed out that she clearly didn't follow those safety procedures, and what was to be the consequence when the staff isn't doing them? To which he replied he was still trying to figure that out.. and also said that the nurse assistant would be on probation. I wanted to know what "probation" was and really didn't get much of an answer beyond she may have to have someone assist her for awhile when she administers vaccines. I was shocked. I felt like that was a complete slap on the wrist for her being careless about something so serious.
Something about this nurse assistant's name stood out, so my husband and I decide to search online and low and behold wasn't she arrested and charged in 2014 for trying to obtain medication from a local pharmacy through fraudulent means. It's all public record and available for anyone to find and read.
After seeing that I again spoke with the Doctor and asked if he knew about her charge and again made the point that she was so careless with the vaccines that this should be setting off some
Major flags. He claimed to not even know about the charge because he doesn't do the hiring. I reiterated that I felt she should have been terminated, suspended, or some sort of consequence. To which he replied that it's clear I want her fired but he's about showing leniency and forgiveness. Then he immediately retracted the word "leniency" and admitted it was a poor word choice. I'm just floored. I feel like this is being completely dismissed and that they honestly just hope I'll switch pediatricians and they'll never hear from me again. I also have contacted the department of heath and when they bring up Joyner's records it shows that he had all the correct vaccines that day.
I had to actually call the Doctor back and tell him
that I wanted it corrected to be accurate, to which he said he'd look into. I'm just beyond appalled, disgusted, and sad.
Up until this happened, I was singing their praises. So the indifference is genuinely hurtful. So now this is my warning..my cautionary tale. read more
