Does nurse have to review recaps or can any staff?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

The past three months our facility has done recaps utilizing the administrative staff as part of a three man team. I though only nurses could review end of month mars. I haven't participated until now and was just asked about helping out tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable signing my nurse's title in the POS when it's checked with the ED and the AED. Am I overreacting? Thanks!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Are you just checking for completeness? If you can read you can see if all the holes are filled in.

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What is POS? ED and AED?

We are still paper charting. Only nurses check them every month to make sure the orders are correct.

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Not checking completeness but end of month Mars against new month's Mars. They have to match the POS (Physician Order Set) and the ED (Executive Director and the AED (Asst) have been setting in on these reviews as a third check. I don't feel comfortable signing my credentials as a nurse when I've reviewed the recaps with non-nursing staff.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I'd be happy for the help. If they are the third check and are signing that the orders match I don't see a problem. Is there a history of med errors using this system?

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Our policy states that a nurse has reviewed them. I can't balance the budget and don't think the company would want me to í ½í¸Š and don't think it's legal for non-licensed staff to check recaps.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I find this topic a 2 edge sword. Having someone with FRESH eyes and perspective can prove extremely helpful and positive. If looking for errors/problems, having an UNBIASED view could be an asset.

But on the other hand, lack of direct clinical background could MISS an issue that requires more abstract 'critical thinking'. (Like I'm thinking, yes, there's a new order for new Coumadin or thyroid and the orders all match as they're supposed to. But no follow-up for labs were requested. A nurse would most likely catch this, but a non-nurse prob wouldn't.)

I doubt that anything 'LEGAL' prohibits this type of review. But since your Admin are providing 'review', they should also be signing somewhere. If they miss an error, they should take 'the lumps' too!

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