Published
I work on the most inefficient unit in the country. !!!
Or it's me !!
Here is my question.
I would like to hear how other hospitals are handling this.
Forget standing orders.
The doctor comes in and writes out new orders, a chest x-ray,
a diet change, and 5-6 new medication orders.
Now, forget the cxr and diet change.... I just wanna know,
On your unit, How does the pharmacy get these new
medication orders?
We have tremendous problems with the pharmacy, but I'm sure others do as well. We fax ALL patient orders to a regular line, then there is a STAT line to fax through also. However, very rarely do we not have to call them on the telephone to ask where the heck our drips or other meds are.
I like the 3 ring binder idea. I wonder if the pharmacy uses a 3 ring binder or just lets the faxes spill out of the machine. Personally I think they just let the faxes spill out. I may mention that for quality assurance in our unit since we have so many problems.
Anybody have a pharmacist right in the UNIT? Do things get done quicker with a pharmacist there? Is he or she utilized?
Thanks for all the replies. Keep 'em coming.
I am trying to analyze the methods and see which method is the most efficient. And, also, figure out why some hospitals are still using 1970's methods.
Doc s typing their own orders in is the best method. and then, Faxing seems the next best method.
My hospital does neither.
We have a computerized physician order entry system.
Pharmacy receives computer printouts on their printer of all new orders. They get card fill reports, labels etc. etc. We have had this system for a long time. I like it because once the data is in the system you can mine it. It also counts down on hand writing errors.
We now have a pyxis scan machine (we used to use a fax machine) our pharmacy is pretty good at getting meds to us, if there are problems we simply call them..
we also keep a lot of meds in our pyxis med machine that we use OFTEN!!!
The facility is currently working on a CPOE...sounds like it might take a while to get up and running though!
Originally posted by stevielynnwe are a small hospital and pharmacy is a 37 sec walk around the corner. :)
WoW! If I work in the back of our hospital it almost a two mile walk, literally for me to get to the pharmacy.
We should have a direct phone to the pharmacy, just pick up the phone and they are there (I wish), because it seems that's what 1/3 of my day. Asking pharmacy if the meds are ready....No? They didn't get the fax....AGAIN!
I like the idea of having a regular pharmacy fax and then a stat pharmacy fax....what about having an IV pharmacy fax?
Hmmm....I like this thread. So many possibilities!
Originally posted by Anniekins
At our hospital, the Dr's enter the med orders into our computer system,...
Wow!
They actually got MD's to enter orders?? I'm impressed!
Question: Is this backed up by a written order, or does a computer print-out count?
Another one: What about TO's??
(I like this idea!)
moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS
521 Posts
We actually have 1-2 pharmacists that work on our floor. They usually pick up the backings to orders and put the new meds in themselves. If they are not able to, pharmacy techs pick them up. If it is something that we need stat, we are able to call the pharmacist and relay the order verbally and make sure they get a backing as well.