I just moved to day shift in LTC. I have treatments, meds, dressing changes, and charting for 17 patients. It's a rehab unit, so I frequently have to chase people down at rehab. I feel like I'm drowning.
Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.
I haven't read the whole thread but when I was a Medication Aide I passed meds, did eye drops, nose sprays, and patches for 64 residents and I did everything the right way. Yes, it IS possible. If you sit around and complain that you can't do it, you've waste precious time that could have been spent actually doing it.
I haven't read the whole thread but when I was a Medication Aide I passed meds, did eye drops, nose sprays, and patches for 64 residents and I did everything the right way. Yes, it IS possible. If you sit around and complain that you can't do it, you've waste precious time that could have been spent actually doing it.
It is possible.. where I work I sometimes have to give meds for 50 residents. This includes g-tube feedings, eye drops, patches, coaxing agitated resident to "just eat the little tiny bit of yummy pudding".. I get it done. I don't stop moving from 3:45 until about 11:30pm.
I don't sit around or complain. When I am sitting.. I cannot stop feeling like I forgot to do something.. so I don't sit.
I started on a new wing and was trained by the "regular" nurse for that wing. I'm organized and a good multi-tasker. I couldn't get over how much longer it was taking me to pass meds to this wing than the "regular" nurse... until I went do to a treatment. It was an ointment. The MAR had it signed off three times by two different nurses. And low and behold.... the safety seal had yet to be punctured in the brand new tube.
How much do you wanna bet that I'm going to become famous for being so "slow"?....
How many of you, have went in to do a BID treatment on a wound, only to find that your own initials are on it from when you worked last... 3 days ago....
I haven't read the whole thread but when I was a Medication Aide I passed meds, did eye drops, nose sprays, and patches for 64 residents and I did everything the right way. Yes, it IS possible. If you sit around and complain that you can't do it, you've waste precious time that could have been spent actually doing it.
Wow. Thats alot to do in two hours. Did you have GTubes also?
Wow. Thats alot to do in two hours. Did you have GTubes also?
For me it doesn't get done in two hours.
I'd rather be an hour late with finishing a med pass and do it safely and not make any errors than rush through in two hours and probably make several med errors.
I never could do the morning med pass in two hours. It always took me three... and sometimes longer than that if I was continually interrupted. I gave everything I was supposed to give though made every effort to be accurate. Some of the residents got 16-17 meds.
I never could do the morning med pass in two hours. It always took me three... and sometimes longer than that if I was continually interrupted. I gave everything I was supposed to give though made every effort to be accurate. Some of the residents got 16-17 meds.
Have a great evening everyone!
Morning med pass takes me 3 1/2 hours for 26 residents. 4:30 med pass takes me 2 1/2 sometimes 3 for the same amount depending on the unit they have me on. Tons of interruptions no matter what med pass. When I have to do 50 residents... I will take as much time as I need. Medicating 50 patients cannot be done in two hours.
I'm a new LPN and just finished my 5th weekend of two 12 hour shifts in an LTC. I have the same 20 residents each weekend day shift. I can finally say that I'm getting more comfortable and faster at my job now that I'm getting to know my residents meds and accu check schedules. But I still feel like there's something I've forgotten and there are things that I cannot get to because there just isn't enough time in 12 hours. I come home Sunday night thinking about I may have forgotten.
I certainly don't have time to get every single treatment done, so I make sure to complete the ones that require my initials on the dressing.
20 patients is more than enough; I dread going to in only to discover that I have 30 because one of the other nurses isn't coming in.
I'd rather be an hour late with finishing a med pass and do it safely and not make any errors than rush through in two hours and probably make several med errors.
If you are not giving a patient their meds within that two hour window then you are not giving them "safely". There is a reason for that time frame and a reason an MD orders a med at a certain time (usually). That window is not just to make you hurry up and get the job done. If you dont give a med ontime then you are commiting a med error and that is the way the state will see it if they catch you. How is not giving a med ontime "safe"?
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
If you are not giving a patient their meds within that two hour window then you are not giving them "safely". There is a reason for that time frame and a reason an MD orders a med at a certain time (usually). That window is not just to make you hurry up and get the job done. If you dont give a med ontime then you are commiting a med error and that is the way the state will see it if they catch you. How is not giving a med ontime "safe"?
Sorry but I have to disagree. Most meds are ordered daily or two times a day. The actual time the medication is given is very arbitrary based on the med times the facility has chosen. Most of the meds we give are SAFELY given once a day even if one day it's at 830 and the next it's at 11. These people wouldn't be so careful taking all these meds at home. The one hour before and after rule was made years and years ago when nurses in nursing homes gave maybe one or two meds to the residents. It's time the rule was changed. With the coming of Culture Change, many facilities have given up the antiquated notion of meds at 9 1 5 and 9 and the orders are written 'give in the morning.' We all need to be a bit more realistic.
Not_A_Hat_Person, RN
2,900 Posts
I just moved to day shift in LTC. I have treatments, meds, dressing changes, and charting for 17 patients. It's a rehab unit, so I frequently have to chase people down at rehab. I feel like I'm drowning.