LTC's are a joke

Published

Don't state surveyors know that med nurses (and other nurses for that matter) cannot possibly do everything the job entails? That it is impossible for one nurse to pass meds to 25+ plus patients within the 2 hour window "by the book"? That the facility basically puts on a show once a year when they arrive?

I especially feel for CNA's. Its bad enough to be on the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak, as far as pay and "status". Its such a difficult job, especially when there are so many patients to care of in an 8 hour period. What makes the department of health think its okay or feasible for one nurse to care for so many patients?

It almost makes me sick...it really takes a special and strong person to work in LTC's for many years. Okay...rant over! ;)

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Not only to the 25+ pts. but it is also what the medications entails. 5 of them on 3 different eye drops, 15 of them on blood pressure medication and everything they ask for 'in between', i.e. 'put me to bed', 'miss?..I need some help', family members come and say res didn't get a bath etc..all this with the DON don't give a %^&* .. Yes it makes for a joke.

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Half of the meds are unnecessary and are likely making the prescribing doc some money from the pharma company. The laws regarding ltc patient ratios clearly show that the government doesnt give a flying chuck about safety.

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Exactly! Set to impossible standards that are really only "enforced" once a year when it's survey time.

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Our facility does not have a two hour time period to give meds. We now have AM, Midday, PM, and HS meds. This makes giving the meds more manageable. AM is 7-10:30 (hour before and hour after), Midday is 12-2:30 (hour before and hour after), PM 3-6 (hour before and hour after), HS 6-10:30 (hour before and hour after).

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I work in a ltc too, is too much. You cant give meds on time, worst comes to worst, i only give the important ones. I learned this from others.

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Oh wow, I love that!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

LTC made me want to kill myself. Not only do you have to do everything mentioned above, but you also have to pick up slack of other nurses not doing their own jobs.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Yikes, wouldn't it be easier to call the Dr and get the "unimportant" ones discontinued.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
I work in a ltc too, is too much. You cant give meds on time, worst comes to worst, i only give the important ones. I learned this from others.
If you're saying what I think you're saying, I'm left stunned ... I won't say anymore and will just move on.

Good facilities will try what they can do to control a top-heavy medpass. It becomes a concerted effort with pharmacy, attending MDs and nursing admin to balance it out. And it can be improved.

And just to make a point - don't ever assume that state surveyors are clueless & dumb about events during survey. They DO know all the 'tricks' that facilities use during survey to 'look the hunkey-dorey look', ie plumped up staffing and admin/dept heads out on the floors answering callbells and feeding pts, etcto name a few.

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Not that i mean i dont give them, I just give them late for example 8:00 bp meds and seizure meds are given within the time frame and I comeback for those glucerna and vitamins later. We all know 50% of medpass in ltc are vitamins. Sorry if i misinterpret

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.
Not that i mean i dont give them, I just give them late for example 8:00 bp meds and seizure meds are given within the time frame and I comeback for those glucerna and vitamins later. We all know 50% of medpass in ltc are vitamins. Sorry if i misinterpret

Wouldn't it just be quicker to do them all at once instead of doubling back all over again?

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