How long for a med-pass?

CHATSDALE · May 26, 2005

you cannot say so many patients in such a such time though i know there are facilitiies and state inspectors who think so...i have patients that i can hand a cup FULL of med and they can swallow them in one gulp and there are others which have difficulty swallowing who you must take your time with

bolus feeding take time also plus some meds must be crushed and with most heart meds you have to take pulse and/or b/p

you have to check for edema and take blood sugars

asses for adverse reactions...

you get better with practice and with feeling more secure in what you are doing but always treat a patient as an individual

Blackcat99 · May 26, 2005

I don't work LTC anymore. When I use to work LTC day shift I sometimes didn't get done till 11am. I don't remember how many residents I had at that time. It sounds like you are doing just fine. Good luck :)

surveynurse · Jun 29, 2005

I have heard it said in LTC that the only time the med pass is done within the time frame is when there is a survey. During this time there "just happens to be adequate staff".

The sad part about this is, it makes it look like it is a possible and/or reasonable task (when in some cases it is not without the added support staff).

nelligolitely · Jun 29, 2005

I have heard it said in LTC that the only time the med pass is done within the time frame is when there is a survey. During this time there "just happens to be adequate staff".
The sad part about this is, it makes it look like it is a possible and/or reasonable task (when in some cases it is not without the added support staff).

Are you really a survey nurse? That would mean so much to me if you know what goes on; I always think the facility is tricking the survey nurse.

surveynurse · Jun 30, 2005

Nelligolitely: Yes. I am a State Surveyor in the Long Term Care Department. Many of the surveyors are former LTC nurses, so we really do know what is like. Most surveyors are aware that facilities try to pull one over during the survey. However, much like any investigator, if there is no solid evidence (in the documentation, staff admissions, or surveyor observations), then the facility cannot be cited. Dept. of Health citiations must be able to withstand the rules of evidence in a court setting and if they cannot, then although the activity may be going on... they cannot be held accountable.

The guideline of one hour before and one hour after was set for good reason and a facility should be staffing such that this is able to be accomplished. There are some facilities that do, but then again quite a few that do not.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2005

I pass pills to right around 50 people. I start at 7:30 am and get done no later than 9:45 am. Now I also have been passing the same pills forever. I have someone take the vitals for me as well. Your med pass time will increase as you know your patients and their meds. I give on two halls and the first hall all meds are schedualed at 8 am the second at 9 am, so I am never out of compliance unless GOD FORBID, I need to pee.

Just curious how long it should be taking me for a med-pass in long-term-care. I know the Department of Health mandates only one hour each way, but wondering if others have trouble achieving this...
I have 26-30 patients, and takes me from 7:30AM to 10:00AM

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2005

I do LTC on a dementia unit from 6a-6p weekends.

My morning med pass is a killer, but I usually get done with it about 9a. Can't do a thing about it....

I've tried different ways, and it's the same either way I go, so I just get started about 6:30a and just plug along till I get done!

Franlpntorn · Jul 23, 2005

Just curious how long it should be taking me for a med-pass in long-term-care. I know the Department of Health mandates only one hour each way, but wondering if others have trouble achieving this...
I have 26-30 patients, and takes me from 7:30AM to 10:00AM

Did the pill pass 1 before the food 1 after and 1 at hs. ON THE GOOD NIGHTS with in the 2hr time frame. When the CNA's left the Pt in the day room so I could find them. My night was get report, start the 1st pass, while they were eating check lungs sounds (surveynurse close your ears) help feed the res, get a jump start on the next pass by crushing the 15 meds of 1 Pt, then get ready for the next one. Do that pass and if their was time and I did'nt get 10 MD call backs with new orders. I might get dinner if there was anything good to eat, PBJ's most nights. Then I would do the HS pass not as many but had to find the res first. Alzhimer's unit 28 res. Then that took me to about 10:00pm. Had one hour to chart.

All of that would not of been so bad if it were not for the fact that it was my first nursing job.

Take heart you can only do what you can. Until there is the staff to make it a :rotfl: world. We do what we can. I think that touching the lives of those we are intrusted to care for, is what we do best. They were my extend family. And I loved them all.