End of shift narc count

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I know this has been asked before but I've never really seen a clear answer on this... Are nurse techs and med techs allowed to count narcs at shift change? I was always told that the shift to shift count had to be done and signed by two licensed nurses. This has always been the protocol at every facility I have ever worked at. My DON decided this last week that the techs could count with either a nurse or with another tech! Some of our nurses see no problem with this. I do. Ultimately I am responsible for those medications and I am most comfortable doing the count with another nurse. It's nothing against our techs, they are all pretty darn awesome, but at the end of the day I'm the one with the license not them...

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Who is responsible for administering the meds? If the techs are the ones with the keys, they should participate in count. If not, the nurses should do it. Unfortunately, we don't allow med techs in Massachusetts.

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My friend got in trouble with the BON because a tech stole narcotics.

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From the Wisconsin DHS website: If you have further questions about medication aides in Wisconsin nursing homes and hospices, email Doug Englebert, (link sends e-mail)Pharmacy Consultant, or call 608-266-5388.

I would email or call that person and ask.

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Our facility permits the count to be done by one nurse and one aide (as long as at least one nurse is involved).

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