[Jolie]

Originally Posted by RN-Cardiac

Just an observation,...I've seen alot of debate on non lisc personel handing out meds,..in settings like group homes, shelters etc. Many people seem very adimate that only a lisc nurse should hand out prescribed meds. What I don't understand is why? Assuming these people are not ill enough to be in a hospital setting,....why can't anyone who can read give someone a pill? We think nothing of sending Mom home with three scripts for her 2 yr old to take as directed. Who would be "passing meds" if this person where living in a pvt residence rather than a shelter? Do you think the man who has been taking Toprol everyday for the last 4 yrs actually checks his BP before every dose? If the bottle says take one tablet by mouth every 8 hrs, how hard is it to do?

I don't mean to downplay the ability of the general public to competently manage their own medications. But if a facility is taking away their ability to manage their own medications by requiring them to be turned in to the staff (which I don't have a problem with), then the facility must be held to basic safety standards in identifying patients and accurately dispensing their meds. I just don't see how a plastic baggie meets those standards.

[RN-Cardiac]

Originally Posted by Jolie

I don't mean to downplay the ability of the general public to competently manage their own medications. But if a facility is taking away their ability to manage their own medications by requiring them to be turned in to the staff (which I don't have a problem with), then the facility must be held to basic safety standards in identifying patients and accurately dispensing their meds. I just don't see how a plastic baggie meets those standards.

I just don't believe that "basic saftey standards" are the same for a shelter as they are for a hospital. My meds at home are sitting in an unlocked cabinet in my kitchen. I can see medications being kept in a safe place,.just like large amounts of cash or other valuables. I guess it depends on why they are keeping the meds locked up. If the shelter is in no way meant to provide medical care and the person staying there is aware of that,..surely they can look at their own med bottle and take their meds just like they would at home.