What do you do about doctors who don't write scripts for narcotics/sleeping pills etc

[Blackcat99]

We sometimes have doctors who say they are going to send in new scripts right away. The problem is that they say they are going to do it and then they don't. Of course, the resident and the family members are upset because so and so is in pain and the doctor didn't write the scripts. What do you do to get your doctors to write scripts?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Eprescribing....

[loriangel14, RN]

Call them again. Middle of the night if need be.

[sharpeimom]

...and again and again, if necessary.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Threaten to call the Medical Director.

[VANurse2010]

The problem with that, Cape Cod, is that it often IS the medical director.

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

Have the facility change the protocols and allow nurses to take telephone orders :-P

[Blackcat99]

The law requires the doctors to send the scripts. Doctors must send scripts to the pharmacy themselves in order for residents to receive narcotics/sleeping pills etc.

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

Lobby to have the law changed

[loriangel14, RN]

Have the facility change the protocols and allow nurses to take telephone orders :-P

Really? They can't take telephone orders?

[drowningdaily]

You can take a telephone order and fax it to pharmacy, but pharmacy will not send rx until written script is sent/faxed. This applies to LTC/SAR facilities - at least in NJ.

[chrisrn24]

Have the facility change the protocols and allow nurses to take telephone orders :-P

You can take telephone orders but with controlled substances you need a paper script that only the provider can give.

I've asked pharmacy to call before, saying something like "can you call dr x for the script? His number is 555-5555."