How does your agency handle narcotic counts?

[Loodlow]

We have had missing valium and ambien. We werent doing counts every shift. That would involve the mom, a sitter, and various nurses. It seems pointless, but this puts us all at risk of accusations. If you do perform counts every shift, do you measure the liquid meds with a syringe?

Thanks!

[caliotter3]

My client once received a refill bottle with half the required amount. I reported it to my agency and called the pharmacy. The on duty pharmacist insisted the bottle was full when it left the pharmacy and that they were not responsible. They also told this to my DON when she called them. Although I carefully and more than once, instructed my client to visually check the bottle, she told me, the very next time, that she didn't check the bottle. Her response to all teaching and anything she didn't want to hear. Since this agency didn't bother with accountability, the DON jumped me for even bringing up the problem. No wonder that one of the nurses regularly "spilled" the controlled meds.