Am I freak for charting meds as I pull them?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I just started working in a LTC facility and it's my first job out of school. It's taking me a long time to do the morning med pass, although I'm getting better at it. The nurse who oriented me said she saves time by signing out the midday meds at the same time she does the morning meds. Another nurse I worked with said he doesn't sign any meds out until the end of the shift because if you do it as you pull them then you have gaps, and you save a lot of time that way. And both of them pull the meds by memory and don't really look at the MAR.

Am I freak for actually signing out each med as I pull them?

Specializes in LTC and Critical/Acute Care/Homehealth.

I like your method of the dot. I had never thought of it. I was a float nurse at my last job and in any given week, I had to pass meds to at least 27 to 30 residents per day. That is a lot of meds to take in consideration. The dot would have come in handy. Thanks.

Now, before I sound like the worst nurse ever, perhaps I should clarify what I mean by "pre-signing".When I'm at the med cart outside a pt's room I initial my meds as I pop them in the cup. Then I give them. If the pt refuses some or all of them I go back, waste the meds, and circle my initials and document as required. I don't see why that's any better or worse than waiting till after the pt takes them to initial everything. I don't men that in a sarcastic way either. I really just don't see how it's less safe or anything. If someone could give me a real reason why I shouldn't do it that way I'd listen.
According to the pharmacy rep and mock surveyor at my facility it is ok to do it this way and she has confirmed it with the state of Florida. Now if you are in say California it cannot be done this way.

For me, this is the safest way. There are just too many interuptions during the med pass. Additionally, if you are assigned to an unfamiliar unit with an unfamiliar medcart with meds not stored correctly or with stored in usual places (we have all seen this...esp eye drops as these docs are so particular) or with missing meds.

I sign the med out as it is pulled and /or poured and enter the patients room. If they refuse, drop it, spit it out etc, I can circle it and per our facility policy, turn over the MAR and write in an explanation. Simple.

I always sign out each med as I pull them

I still after 34 years of nursing in a geriatric section of the hospital pour my medications, give same then sign for them. I know this takes longer . Legally it is the correct way to do so and it is my license at risk if something goes wrong

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I worked agency for an LTC facility where the workload was impossible. I refused to cut corners or do anything that was less than legal, and I pride myself on being fast and efficient. I strongly suspected the regular nurses were doing a lot of fudging and corner-cutting because I couldn't fathom how they were getting through and getting breaks. After 5 shifts of being a total stress case, I told my agency I was no longer available for that facility. Oh, and by the way, they were being audited by the state.

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