Giving pts. medications to take home at discharge

[TorsadesDePointesRN]

I know we are not supposed to send anyone home with their hospital insulin pens/inhalers, even though they will only be thrown away by the hospital afterward, but can anyone tell me exactly *why* we aren't supposed to? I've been telling patients that it's against hospital policy (which it is) and that prescription medications can only be given to them through a pharmacy and with proper packaging and literature; but is there any other reason? It kills me to send some of my pts home that I KNOW don't have any intention of filling their prescriptions because they have no money/insurance. Perhaps if I understood why I can't give them their meds I won't feel quite so upset by this. (I'm in PA, if it matters)

[LaughingRN]

I meant no disrespect at all. I am sorry if you felt that way. I guess I was just rying to protect one so young to this profession and share some hard earned experience. You have truly misinterpreted what I said.

I am truly sorry I offeneded you.......I insinuated that you need to protect yourself always and educate yourself to be sure you are safe, no one will protect you but you. I have been at this a long time and I have learned that hospitals are not all that alltruistic.

Again....I am sorry I offended you........I wish you good luck

I guess it's easy to misinterpret written words sometimes. Thank you for the advice, I agree that it is important to look out for yourself, and protect yourself by making sure things are done correctly.

I apologize back at ya if my response came off harsh...knee jerk reaction I guess:)

[GM2RN]

I am glad you checked with your state. In my state nurses are NOT allowed to give patients "meds to go". They must be labeled by the MD,PA,PharmD,APRN, sealed in a bag by the labeling personel and then the nurse may had the pre-packaged meds,in their original packages, to the patient. As an emergency room nurse for 32 years i will tel you I know what goes on and some of the rules in some states are different for the ED's than the clinics,hospitals,offices or LTC"s.

I have witnessed a very good friend lose her job and license becasue of tis very argument. It turned out the hospital,the EDMD saved themselves and sacrificed her..........

I meant no harm, so you can stop throwing fuel on the fire.......

I get that you meant to help, that was never a question for me, but I was getting frustrated that no matter what anyone else said, you kept posting that dispensing is not legal, no way, no how, end of disussion, so to speak.

So, I wasn't trying to throw fuel on the fire, but responding to your insistence that everyone else was doing things wrong. And yes, I know you didn't use those exact words, but that's the way your posts read to me.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

You must check with the BON. Each state has its own rules on dispensing meds.

Just a note about the DEA. As an NP, who can work independently without an MD/DO involved, you don't need a DEA number UNLESS you prescribe controlled substances and in Ohio, NPs really aren't able to prescribe them. The DEA has no say over prescribing/dispensing any other medication.

And just to be clear, technically APRNs in Ohio can prescribe some controlled substances, but the rules are restricted to a controlled substance first prescribed by an MD/DO, only for "terminal" patients and only enough for 24 hrs.

That is what i thought, and I think the thread has been skewed away from its original intent. Which was meds in general. The DEA doesn't give a rat's hind most part about inhalers, insulin pens etc.