Large med pass at 6 am!!!!!!

[NurseCard]

One of the reasons my new job went from being, eh, pretty tolerable... to being miserable... is because management decided that night shift would start passing *AT LEAST* half of all of the patients' morning medications at 6am. So, instead of being able to wrap up all of my charting, wrap up I+O's, and generally get off work anywhere near on time... I have to do this big med pass at the end of my shift.

Management did this to make things easier on our day shift... right now our day shift is WAYYYYYY understaffed and MANY things do not get done that should be done on day shift. However, this idea of lightening their 9 am med pass is so far not working. They are still slammed out the rear and not able to get things done; the lighter med pass is not making a difference.

But, we have the type of management team that doesn't care to listen to what we have to say.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has this type of system on their floor or in their hospital?

[withasmilelpn]

I understand about patient's comfort and need for rest, however some meds must be taken on an empty stomach in order to work correctly. That should be just as important. Frankly, I think that if nurses were allowed to give meds as they are supposed to be taken, patients would have fewer complications. Better staffing would = a realistic med pass and let us not violate the sacred 'dining room' no med policy, lead to better infection control, patient satisfaction........ It is good to dream!

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

i will give this post the benefit of the doubt that you are generalizing about ltc and rehab.

yes.

i am sure my patients in acute care would much rather have three nights of interrupted sleep, than wake up dead in the morning.

we don't do it so we can claim a paycheck and follow protocol, we do it because it saves lives.

tait

no kidding.