ALFIE QUESTION

[GretaRN]

Hi all,

after working in LTC for 9 months I have recently taken a job in ALF: which I LOVE so far...question?

when checking new med sheets for the month I have come across something which I would like some advice on

example: original order: celexa 60 mg q day, the way it is written on the sheets states:

celexa 40 mg

give 1 1/2 tabs=60 mg Is this ok??? I was told that DNS wanted it this way...

this is totally different that what I am used to, I am used to the order celexa 60 mg q day then on the script bottle it would be 40 mg tabs and it would say give 1 1/2 tabs..

I know alfies follow different rules, am I just confused going from one facility to another?????some of the med sheets are written like this... Input would be appreciated. Thanks all..

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

You should follow your facility's policy. When I take off med orders (SNF) I write the strength of the tablet and how many to give to equal the ordered dose. For example:

Acetaminophen 325 mg tablets. Give two tablets to = 650 mg every 4 hours PRN pain or T>101.

[kristinlpn]

See it all the time. Didn't think it was unusual....

[systoly]

I believe this is a better way, because I feel there is less chance for error.

[txredheadnurse, BSN, RN]

Most of the time surveyors want it written as 40mg tab take 1 and 1/2 tab (total dosage 60mg) so most pharmacies serving long term care facilities will write the MAR that way. Also by writing it that way there should be no room for a calculation error.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

also, if you are to give two different strength tabs to = a dose, they should be on two different lines, ie lasix 60 supplied as 1 20 mg and 1 40 mg tab....