CNA's and prescription Treatments

Published

OK. So I always thought that if treatments were OTC the Aids could put them on the patient, but if they were a prescription,such as Xenadrem or Nystop they were to be applied by a nurse? Does this differ state to state? I noticed that the aids at my facility put everything on themselves!

Thanks!:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

At my facility the nurses apply all treatments unless the order states that the CNAs can do them. The nurses need to be careful if they are allowing aides to do the treatments. The wounds need close monitoring to prevent infection or worsening of the wound.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

In my facility, CNAs can do dry, nonsterile dressings. I'm pretty selective about which aides I even let do that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

Nurses do the treatments although I admit to cheating with a rash on the male private parts and I allow a CNA (male) to do it under my guidance and supervision. I have no problem with the area but the patients get excited sometimes and I don;t want to deal with that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yep...the nurse has to do them in PA. I too will admit to letting some CNAs do this under my guidance. All of our inct barriers are orders on the MAR. There is no way that I am going to be able to apply zinc oxide or butt paste to everyone of my residents with each inct episode. Or put powder under everyones breast.

Now...if someone has an order for xenaderm and we are putting it on a stage II..yeah, I will do that one.

I really do try to help out and change the residents as much as I can..time that with the treatments and you do get a good assessment in on them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

In Massachusetts, if it is an OTC product the CNAs do it. I just went through and took 3/4s of the treatments off the nurses TAR and put them on the CNA flow sheets. I have a huge problem with nurses signing things they haven't done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

Treatments are done by the Nurses. CNA's can put on OTC creams. Anything with a prescription should be applied by a nurse. Make sure your CNA's have training in the application of topical medications/dressings if your state allows them to do these treatments. Also, if your state does not allow it, make sure the CNA's have training on what and when to report if they are using OTC creams...I mean you don't want to end up with a really bad excoriation or pressure sore because the CNA didn't report and continued just to put cream on it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In Massachusetts, if it is an OTC product the CNAs do it. I just went through and took 3/4s of the treatments off the nurses TAR and put them on the CNA flow sheets. I have a huge problem with nurses signing things they haven't done.

I did this a few yrs ago when I was working more full time. These type of things seem to creep back onto the TARS. Foley cath care q ****, preventative skin care items like the zinc oxide...etc....No way I'm doing foley cath care q shift...the cnas are doing it already.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree that sounds like a great idea. We have a huge problem with everything being on the TAR's, Everything is on ours. Heel protectors, foley care, you name it. I would love to see it put on the CNA flow sheets. I am going to mention it to the DON.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

You wouldn't believe what was on our TAR sheets......'give new basin and bed pan q....'...and that is done by the unit CLERK who shouldn't be signing anything in the TAR. I think some people are afraid to take anything off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yeah i work 10-6a and i have a huge problem with waking residents up to put cream on their toes(which look fine) when they have it done 2 other times a day anyways. like someone said, if it's a stage II, yeah, i'll do it. but im not about to wake a fully ambulatory pt up to put some cream on a "possible reddened area" on their _____. it gets done twice a day anyways while they're AWAKE so let these poor people sleep.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I have no problem with CNAs on my floor putting on zinc, A&D, antifungal cream/powder. eucerin etc. I let them know in report who gets what kind of cream & whose butt I need to see when they get into bed/who has dressings on their wherever so they can come get me if they are falling off and need changed. Of course, they are all fantastic on my floor and always report changes to me.

However, I also do not hesitate to help the CNAs change people when I have the time so that I can be sure to see everyone's skin.

I would certainly not have them putting Xenaderm, Santyl, or doing dressings etc...things like that need to be done by a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion