Administering meds I've not prepared

[MochaFiend]

That's an absolute NO!

I have a few MA's in my pod at work, my Physician Assistant and perhaps even my boss at odds with me.

My PA has in the past two weeks (I've only been here for two weeks) on about three occasions drawn up medications for me to administer. I don't administer that loaded syringe, it goes straight to the sharps container and I prepare the injection by myself, from start to finish. I do this even if the vial (solu medrol) is a single dose.

I told the PA politely to "please don't draw injections for me to administer because I've been taught to not administer medication or injections that I, myself have not prepared"

The PA's response: "I was just trying to save time"

Me "I understand, and I appreciate it. But, I cannot administer medication that I've not prepared myself"

Another MA: "Seriously, Jessica?"

Me: "Seriously"

The PA went on to the next patient. The MA went to another pod to gossip about what I just told her and the PA.

I spoke with the office supervisor, a LPN, who told me "It's at your discretion. I was taught the same thing. But... It's at your discretion."

The hell?

I wouldn't even let my very best friend draw anything for me to administer. I know I'm "asking to get fired". But, this is my butt. My signature.

I look like the bad guy because I know not a soul would take care of me if it were my name on the line, even as a RMA if there were to be a lawsuit....

Am I stupid, crazy, wise??

What would you do?

[video=youtube_share;gLj7fj-3L78]

Thanks....

[chare]

First, what does that ridiculous video that you posted have anything to do with the topic at hand? I have to say that I failed to find any humor in it.

Why do you feel that you can't administer a medication that was drawn up by one of your co-workers? If someone were to prepare a syringe and leave it lay unattended and later expect you to administer it, I can see your point. However, if he or she were to prepare the syringe in your presence and hand it to you with the vial as you have described, why do you feel that you can't administer it?

What if he or she drew up the medication and properly labeled the syringe? Would you then administer the medication? If not, what do you do when the pharmacy prepares and delivers a syringe of medication? Do you refuse to adminster that as well? Or do you assume that because it was prepared in the pharmacy that it is always going to be correct. If you do administer a pharmacy prepared syringe, how is this different than the one that your coworker prepared in your presence or prepared and properly labeled?

I think that this speaks volumes of the work environment that your have so little in those you work with

[MochaFiend]

Ugh!!!! That video is irrelevant to my post and I'm trying to get it off - Sorry!!!!

[MochaFiend]

The medication was drawn without my knowledge and not in my presence. The syringe is not and has never been labeled. I work in primary care, not a hospital. So, I'm drawing and pulling medication and vaccines on my own.

I have no problem administering medications (injections) if it was pre-filled by the laboratory, pharmacy, or by another MA in front of me. BUT, these cases involve me finding a syringe filled with unknown medication, not labeled and I'm supposed to waltz in and administer it to get the patient out the door.... I think not.

Does that help?

First, what does that ridiculous video that you posted have anything to do with the topic at hand? I have to say that I failed to find any humor in it.

Why do you feel that you can't administer a medication that was drawn up by one of your co-workers? If someone were to prepare a syringe and leave it lay unattended and later expect you to administer it, I can see your point. However, if he or she were to prepare the syringe in your presence and hand it to you with the vial as you have described, why do you feel that you can't administer it?

What if he or she drew up the medication and properly labeled the syringe? Would you then administer the medication? If not, what do you do when the pharmacy prepares and delivers a syringe of medication? Do you refuse to adminster that as well? Or do you assume that because it was prepared in the pharmacy that it is always going to be correct. If you do administer a pharmacy prepared syringe, how is this different than the one that your coworker prepared in your presence or prepared and properly labeled?

I think that this speaks volumes of the work environment that your have so little in those you work with

[Slipping CMA]

I have to agree with you. In a place I used to work at they would prepare a bunch of influenza vaccines from the vial and leave them in the fridge for MA's to use. I ignored them and still drew my own. But I never had a PA or a Dr. draw one up just other MA's. I have no idea who drew it up, it's not labeled, and I don't know how long it's been sitting around like that. But, we are not in the popular crowd, most MA's will take them and use them.

Maybe you can talk to the PA and look at your schedule ahead of time and see who might need what vaccines to speed things up. Is she trying to be helpful or does she think you're to slow?

[MochaFiend]

Thanks. I spoke to the PA, she was just trying to help. She has a light patient load because she's new. All MA's and the LPN just run with it.

I have to agree with you. In a place I used to work at they would prepare a bunch of influenza vaccines from the vial and leave them in the fridge for MA's to use. I ignored them and still drew my own. But I never had a PA or a Dr. draw one up just other MA's. I have no idea who drew it up, it's not labeled, and I don't know how long it's been sitting around like that. But, we are not in the popular crowd, most MA's will take them and use them.

Maybe you can talk to the PA and look at your schedule ahead of time and see who might need what vaccines to speed things up. Is she trying to be helpful or does she think you're to slow?