How to establish a rhythm during med pass...

[Nunya Business]

The facility I work for wants to frequently change where I'm assigned. I'm truly struggling to complete the med pass on time because I feel like when they switch me I don't know what is due and when. Worse still, I feel like I can't find what I need in the med cart; I even pulled a med from the wrong section the other day and it was the right patient but the wrong dose.

I feel like I'm failing as a nurse. I'm afraid that if I can't switch between assignments they will find someone else who can and cut my hours. Or the largest issue: I'll get the wrong med again because I feel unfamiliar with a different med cart.

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I don’t understand why your experience would vary within the same facility. The MAR should be the same and should list times, doses, etc wherever you are. Do you keep notes on times meds will be due for patients? A large number of nurses don’t complete med passes on time. Modern dispensing cabinets and EMARS should make this much easier and keep your experience the same.

[Nunya Business]

The MAR is easy enough to navigate. That part, for me, is a non-issue.

It’s more the cart itself. It’s really hard for me to find what I need in it in a timely way. The cart setup differs depending on which part of the facility you’re in. I feel almost disoriented when I have to switch.

There are also issues of aggression in specific clients impacting my ability to concentrate during the medpass (I can’t be more clear because of HIPAA)...which makes the whole dynamic more challenging still. But I can say that I’m almost being heckled while I’m trying to pull and calculate doses.

I talked to my provider and they even increased the dose of my medication a few months back to help me concentrate.

I feel at a loss.

[TheLastUnicorn]

I'm guessing you are in LTC or SAR? How many patients on the pass? Honestly, if you're the floater, it will take a while to get a rhythm and it will vary depending on the unit / cart you're assigned. If it's a heavy patient load, it's gonna take as long as it will take until you get more familiar with it all.

Keep a small note pad and make notes. You say there are problem patients. Make note on them. Do they want a med at a specific time? Do they wants all their meds before or after something else. Do your best to accommodate. You may end up ping pinging all over the unit but it may also make your night less stressful.

As for the cart. Again, this will come with time. Keep notes on what drawer things are in for that unit. Eventually you will become familiar with it. If you need to, make yourself a little sketch layout of the cart for that unit.