Emergencies and med. administration

[brokenroads27]

During an emergency, do you give the med immediately after checking the order? Or do you still have to check the name band and make sure its the right patient, all the six rights? I'm just asking because I've never been in an emergent situation before and it would be helpful to know now what to do in terms of giving meds. If the patient can't tell you his name, I'm just wondering what the identifiers are. Thanks!

[BluegrassRN]

ABSOLUTELY YES! you still need to do the rights!

In my hospital, I will override the system and give a drug on the floor if I need to, but I do it knowing full well that if there is an allergic reaction, or if the drug is the wrong dose, or will interact inappropriately with another med, I am taking that responsibility into my own hands. If something adverse happens, it is my *** and my license on the line. I usually consult with the pharmacist by telephone prior to giving anything that hasn't been entered into our system yet (for example, a person who is very dyspneic and needs stat IV lasix).

In a true emergency, the code team is there, with the doc at the bedside giving verbal orders directly to the pharmacist.