Published Sep 14, 2014
garciadiego
216 Posts
I have 2 questions
Is it possible in LTC, where you might have 28 residents, some would say that is a conservative number, most of these residents have more than 5 meds each, to follow the 5 rights for each and every one of these residents and get done in less than 2 hours? Keep in mind some of these residents are difficult to give meds to,...my answer is no it is not possible.
Second part of question is do you think nurses follow the 5 rights for each and every one of your residents even though you know what the residents are going to recieve because you have passed their meds 5 days a week for months?.....I don't think so.
I really want to know what you all think so I don't feel so alone with my opinion.
Thank you.
Nola009
940 Posts
I'm sure they don't and I could prove it (the coumadin doses that got reversed on two roommates for a few weeks), seen a newbie in a rush not check the TYPE of insulin she was giving---idc if it has the resident's name on it, we need to be sure we give novolog at this time, not levemir. A lot of em rush around. Some more than others. Management likes that, so they don't get into trouble as far as I know.
This is so not right, what if we all slowed down and did our jobs correctly?
It isn't, but a lot of factors are involved. The number of patients, amount of treatment and meds, and the time frame we need to get it all done in. Of course accuracy is very important, so start with that in mind. Time management is very important as well, so do your best, most accurate job with timelines in mind and in time, it will fall into place!I don't moddel my practice after nurses who hold speed above all. The CNAs and possibly management seem impressed by them, but others of us doing the same job KNOW some things just don't add up
Speed freak nurses, they are wonderful,they are also accidents waiting to happen.