med pass

Specialties Geriatric

Published

On average, how long does it take you to pass meds ?? I have 25pts and it takes me roughly anywhere between 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to pass all my meds ?? does this sound like a reasonable amount of time ? the other nurses on the other halls get done in 1 1/2 hrs. and they have just as many pts if not more.

I have about 25 residents also and it takes me between 2-3 hours to pass meds. It is closer to 2 hours when everything goes smoothly--residents in their rooms(not the dining room or therapy), residents ready to take meds(not needing to be toileted, not busy with whatever) and staff is not stopping me (therapy asking questions, activities asking about residents), and staff not needing help with direct care. When all the above happen and you maybe throw in a fall, or change in condition it can take 3 hours or more. So I guess there really is no average.

I have 17 residents and it takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours

I had 42 residents the other night who had 6 a.m. meds. It took me 2.5 hours to finish my med pass :/ which is actually considered SLOW at my facility. I do not pre-pour, do not sign early...I do my first check at 12 a.m. when I am passing those meds, the second check around 2 a.m., the third when I am passing them. I do make sure I can locate all eye drops, nasal sprays, patches, narcotics, etc. early on so I am not bumbling around at 4 a.m.!

Specializes in Hospice.

I have 33 patients, and it takes me 2.5 hours to pass the AM meds. My facility is a little different than most though, do a BID med pass, so EVERYONE gets meds during the AM pass, and that includes eye drops etc. We also have an automated packaging system that packs each persons meds in an envelope with the med pass time stamped on it. So no fumbling with cards / boxes of meds.

(In case you're wondering how that works, AM pass is 7:30A - 11:30A, PM pass is 7:30P - 11:30P, with accuchecks and meds that absolutely have to be TID or QID scheduled at set times during the balance of the day)

Specializes in Hospice.

24 patients for HS med pass will take me 2hrs for it.. depends how busy the floor, or how long you worked on that hall

I have the same problem! People are getting their meds late because it takes me like 3 1/2 hours but almost everyone else can get it done just fine. However, I've come to the conclusion that it's because I'm actually doing things right. I check my BPs prior to giving BP meds rather than simply charting the BP that the CNA gets later that day. I also stay with my residents when they take their meds instead of running off and leaving them alone with them. There are several other things I do too and really they all add up in the end. I just make sure to get my residents who get medication several times a day finished first and then pass to the ones who get things only in the morning. It's worked so far.

On average how long does it take you to pass meds ?? I have 25pts and it takes me roughly anywhere between 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to pass all my meds ?? does this sound like a reasonable amount of time ? the other nurses on the other halls get done in 1 1/2 hrs. and they have just as many pts if not more. [/quote']

For my 0800 pass (which I start at 0615) I have roughly 28-30 ppl and i am rarely done before 0900, especially if I have this one hall where half the residents have multiple eye drops and ointments, inhalers, need o2 and bp checked...on that hall it takes me til at least 0945. On nights when I have double the residents to look after, the HS med pass takes me about 5 hours. It really sucks because half of them are torqued off that I can't get to them when they want and the other half I have to wake from a dead sleep to give meds.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Depends on the shift, too. I work nights, know residents pretty well, generally good communication. Takes me usually 2 hrs if no major issues arise during the pass. I have 23-25 at any given time, and the awake talkies get lots of attention. Only 1 male, rest ladies!

I have 30 residents. Almost half are on b/p meds. And one GT resident. So, 9am med pass takes me around 2-3 hours.

I have 50 pts and tons of PRN's. Two med passes at that rate takes me all shift, short lunch, no breaks, and if i am lucky I get done 4 mins prior to end of shift.

Specializes in Hospice.

Cheriedg that's alot.. How about if there's emergency or if 1 of your patient needs more attention due to acute condition? How do you manage your time?

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