Do you take the MAR into the patient's room with you?

[uscstu4lfe]

Our hospital says that you must take the MAR in with you (even when you've given the same patient the same medication for the 1 millionith time). I don't know if this is a state/nationwide policy? Anyway, do you always do it? The nurses on my floor do it when management is around - but when they're not, well, it's a different story :)

[loriangel14, RN]

Ummm... I remember the pts name that I am pouring for.The med cart is in the hall way just outside the room so I can remember the name that far.We usually have long term pts so we get to know them pretty well. One place I did a placment for school we were expressly forbidden to remove MAR sheets. All we need to take in the room is the meds anyways.

[MIA-RN]

I always take the MAR in the room. ALWAYS. Even when I worked with the same patients for weeks on end. If I have to pour from a unit dose, I will pour and measure it at the med station, and check and double check the med and dosage there. WHen I go in the room, I ask the patient either their birthday or last name, and always always compare it to the MAR. Then I check the meds again and open them up in front of the patient. Its just too important to do it without the MAR.

I think its unsafe practice to give meds without the MAR.

[Hypoxic]

It depends on whether the patient is in isolation or not. But most of the times yes. I don't want to make a mistake just because I didn't feel like taking the MAR in. Luckily where I did my clinical rotations, they really enforce it, and they have portable computers so it's pretty easy.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Always always always.

[loriangel14, RN]

Oh dear. Nobody does it where I work. I think they would think it was strange if I did.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Absolutely! Especially when there are shared rooms.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

In LTC, no. In a hospital, you betcha.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Yeah, we do. Haven't come up with any consistent way to deal with infection control 'tho... We usually take the whole looseleaf notebook in with us and we don't have a consistent policy on using disinfectant wipes on the book when it is recycled for the next patient.

[psalm, RN]

I have to flag my meds, and I do bring the MAR into pt. room with me. That way I can also answer any questions about PRN meds they ask about...such as is it time to have one?

I find that when we are very busy, the MAR keeps us focused and helps with the 5 rights of med administration.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I always check my meds right before I go into the room, and leave them still wrapped so I can tell patients what they are getting. I usually don't bring the MAR in with me. I don't see other nurses on the floor doing this either. I am not sure if my hospital has a policy on this. If the patient has a lot of meds, I'll bring the MAR with me just to be sure.

This has been my practice as well ( to the T), and I don't know if we have a policy on this, has never been brought up. I only pull one patient's meds at a time.