what happens if someone forgets to initial the MAR?

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

what if they initialed other meds on that page, and signed the bottom. but forgot to initial next to one?

[queenjean]

Then the med is considered not given. How will the next shift know if it was given or not? So, it will be listed as a missed dose, and depending upon the med, it may be given on the next shift, to make up for the missed dose.

[Alternator81]

Are you saying that they didn't sign it at all after giving a med? Or are you saying they wrote the time given and just didn't initial it?

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

both.

[lpnflorida]

In the case of forgetting to put both the time, or say not drawing a line through the time and then not puttings ones initials next to the time. It is considered not given, unless you can prove differently.

:typing

the next step is they cut our fingers off for forgetting

[beth66335, BSN, RN]

:typing

the next step is they cut our fingers off for forgetting

:lol2::lol2:

[loriangel14, RN]

Where I work they circle it with pencil and leave a post it note for you to sign next time you work. It is considered as given.

[lpnflorida]

I am always so greatful to the nurses who follow me, who call my cell phone as I am on my way home. Did you give so and so their medication ? I always answer truthfully, yes I did. Or the oh shoooooot I forgot. To which they will say they will give it. This usually involves coumadin which is given the last hour of our shift.

I would never just accept that something was given without checking further nor would I just assume it was not given. Those great nurses who follow up are the greatest, not becauses it saves me from a med error, but it saves the patient from either not receiving his med or worse still being double dosed.

There are ways of checking such as looking in the med drawer if that is where it is to be found. Thankfully now with the pixis one can look it up and see was it given or not.