Do you have to count lyrica at your LTC facility?

zieglarf, LVN · Oct 21, 2012

We count Lyrica, antibiotics, and Tramadol, but a facility down the street does NOT count Tramadol - so it isn't a state requirement [TX].

I do write the prescribed time in a blank area on a corner - to make it faster to flip through and find what you are giving right now. Those still need to be verified before giving; it just makes it faster to find them initially.

I like the idea of writing: r/o with date and initials and will start implementing that when I go back to work tomorrow.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2012

We do count Lyrica. Tramadol we used to count but not anymore for some reason.

Coumadin would just be a big giant mess to count because the doses change frequently for some people.

Antibiotics we don't count but I always initial and date on the bubble of the card. Just to cover my butt.

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Oct 21, 2012

"Unfortunately, I keep finding at least 7-8 extra antibiotic capsules leftover EACH TIME an antibiotic order is d'cd. It's obvious that the patient is not receiving their entire antibiotics as per doctor's orders. "

It is not necessarily 'that obvious'.

At our facility there has been times when the resident has finished his round of antibiotics before pharmacy sends the med. In other words, EDK, EDK, EDK. And yes, they were called, and called. And yes we still have the same pharmacy.

Blackcat99 · Oct 21, 2012

This pharmacy visits this LTC Facility 1-3 times EVERY DAY. Therefore, we are only allowed to use one dose from the emergency kit. I do see your point of view too. I have worked at other LTC facilities where the pharmacy would not visit very often.

paullissa · Oct 23, 2012

We have a computerized MAR so ATBs are being given now. It's harder to forget to give any pills now. We did count Lyrica with one of the residents but I don't really see the point of it. That's not the first drug I think of that people would steal.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 24, 2012

Unfortunately, I keep finding at least 7-8 extra antibiotic capsules leftover EACH TIME an antibiotic order is d'cd. It's obvious that the patient is not receiving their entire antibiotics as per doctor's orders. I certainly don't have extra time to count antibiotics but if the patient's are not actually receiving their antibiotics then something needs to be done.

If the treatment starts with meds pulled from the E kit, and the pharmacy sends what is ordered then there are a few extra. But I would not think 7 or 8....

prinsessa · Oct 26, 2012

When I worked at a SNF, one patient's cytotec came up missing several times. The DON asked several of us if we know anything about it. She also asked what it was used for. All I knew was that it was used for the stomach. I guess it can also be used to stop a pregnancy. I had learned that in nursing school but didn't really remember the other use. We had to start counting the cytotec every shift because I guess someone was stealing it. It is really unfortunate that someone would do something like that! Plus it just made more work for everyone else.

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Oct 26, 2012

At our faciity, as it should be everywhere, every med taken out of the EDK is documented. One copy is sent to pharmacy, 2 other copies go to 2 different departments of the facility so we can prove that the course of antibiotic was almost finished before we received the med.

If the treatment starts with meds pulled from the E kit, and the pharmacy sends what is ordered then there are a few extra. But I would not think 7 or 8....

SnowboardRN · Nov 1, 2012

Yes we count lyrica with our narcotics

maddock26 · Nov 16, 2012

I work at an LTC in california and we count MDI's, ABT's, narcs (obviously), lyrica, belladonna, lidocaine, everything.

WanderingSagehen · Nov 17, 2012

Nevada- we count Lyrica, but not coumadin and antibiotics, that's seems a waste of precious time.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 17, 2012

Why in the world would anyone count an inhaler?!?