Surveyors on site--help with GTube Medications?!?
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This is a discussion on Surveyors on site--help with GTube Medications?!? in Geriatric Nurses / LTC Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... With the new "Memo" sent out by CMS for clarification on GTube medications, and the Regulation...
by santeeaholic Jan 15With the new "Memo" sent out by CMS for clarification on GTube medications, and the Regulation still posted online conflicting what the update says, what is everyone doing as far as GTube meds go?
Online, the CMS regualtion states as of this morning on page 432 "While it is noted that some facility policies ideally adopt flushing the tube after each individual medication is given, as opposed to after the group of multiple medications is given, unless there are known compatibility problems between medicines being mixed together, a minimum of one flushing before and after giving the medications is all the surveyor need review. "
It is utterly rediculous to sepearte crushed meds that are mixed in water just to pour them down the same tube during the same administration time. Next they will be asking us to administer crushed meds PO seperately. They are going into the same stomach at the same time. What difference does it make if they are seperated or not as long as the meds are compatible?
What is everyone doing for this situation? We have surveyors in house at this very moment. So far going well but I highly anticipate a citation on this very topic.
Thanks!
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Jan 15 by Kittypower123Look up your facility's protocol and follow that. It doesn't matter what the regulation says. If you violate your facility policy, you will be cited. This happened at our facility when one of the nurses did not administer meds seperately and flush in between each as our policy states. In reality, it doesn't make any difference to the resident but violating policy during survey will result in a tag.cienurse likes this. -
Jan 15 by cienurseOur policy and procedure tells us to instill 30cc of water after EACH medication and that's what DPH will be looking for-that you are following your facility's policy and procedure for medication administration via Gtube. What you described is a guidance to surveyors for observation, not an actual regulation. So, as long as you are following your facility's policyand procedure to the letter, you should be fine! - Jan 15 by santeeaholicOur facilty policy states flush with 30cc before medications are administered and 30 cc's after medications are administered. Nurses are following that policy. But I just have this nagging feeling in my gut the surveyors won't be happy with that.
Crossing my fingers, and my toes, as well as sending up lots of silent prayers!!
Thanks guys! - Guide
Jan 15 by CapeCodMermaidI've done some research on this. The main reason for separating the meds is to know beyond a certainty which one was administered and which wasn't. At my last facility we had orders to crush all the meds, mix together and administer. We never had an issue with the DPH. But, you HAVE to follow your facility's policy. - Jan 15 by Blackcat99I have always been told that when the state is here that each medication must be given one med at a time-30cc of water before and after each med. Good luck.
