Were my patient's rights violated?

During my labor, I was given pitocin to induce labor. After six hours my labor still wasn't progressing and I asked the nurse to stop the pitocin until I could talk to my doctor and get an epidural She refused like an obstinate child. My baby's vitals were perfect, and he was in no immediate danger. I feel like she violated my patient's rights because I have the right to refuse medical treatment and medications, according to all information on patient's rights I've read.

My labor continued for 17 hours. I had an intra-uterine pressure catheter placed by my doctor after hours of being pumped full of pitocin. My son has developmental delays and I believe pitocin could be the culprit.

Yes. They should have complied. Call your hospitals Patient Representative department and log a complaint.

What was the outcome? She didn't stop it, and what happened?

If there was no negative outcome other than your discomfort (and stopping pitocin would not have likely stopped your labor and your discomfort anyway after 6 hours of being on it), then about all you can do is file a complaint / grievance with the hospital. Legally you wouldn't really have anything owed to you unless there were actual damages, and even then, proving it was the fault of the hospital could be difficult.

You should also speak to your doctor about what happened. I'm sure he/she would like to know about the incident if you didn't already say something.

Did she give it to you anyway??? She totally messed up, i would report her

Yes, your rights were violated. You have the right of informed consent or denial of treatment.

You are right. If a patient refuses treatment or medications it is the nurse's responsiblility to notify the doctor. In turn, the physician is to speak with the patient to find out what the problem is and find a solution.

well it all depends on what you are refusing help on really but honestly she shouldnt have been able to tell you now. You were in no danger of dying and you werent unconcious. I think that you should have been able to talk to your doctor and she should have listened to what you wished for. Im not sure if thats violation of your rights though. I would think so.

Yes! They were! That is horrible - I would be complaining to everyone possible if I were you. I feel like I would feel so violated in that situation. I hate that some L&D nurses take advantage of the fact that women in labor are vulnerable. They think that women in this situation are stupid and can't make their own decisions, so they just strong-arm them into doing whatever they think is best. :( I'm sorry this happened to you.

You have the right to refuse or stop any medication at any time. Now I mean obviously you can't change your mind in the middle of a c-section for example. Once they have sliced open your uterus that's kind of it.

You should definitly bring this up with the hospital administrator or get a lawyer -your call.

Yes she did violate your rights. You have every right at any time during your care to refuse further treatment.

I would take it up with a lawyer. Pitocin is horrific stuff, and being made to endure it without a doctor present is wrong. Not being able to stop it is illegal.

jill is on it she has said it all

"my rights as a patient"

Ok, are you a nurse or doctor? Do you have a medical reason why you needed the pitocin stopped?
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