MARS missed signing

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Sep 27, 2005

Call me crazy but I initial (and when necessary) and date on the bubble pack for each pill that I give in addition to signing in the MAR and other necessary places. People would tell me "if I did that I would never get my work done". It's worth the time for me for my own peace of mind. Too many hands on those bubble packs.

We sign out each med with our initials. They come in blister packs so you know if it's been given. You also know if someone on the prior shift or day didn't sign out because there is a blank spot. We are generally good about leaving a note on the book so they get signed quickly. I also go through mine at the end of the day and make sure the blister packs match.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 28, 2005

We had a nurse who used to initial the bubble packs..she, however, was only trying to "catch" someone else.

Our policy is clear. You can do your med pass two ways: Pour, chart, and give OR Pour, give, and chart. That's it....no other way to do a safe med pass. I always sign each pill off as I pop it in the cup. That way if I get distracted or have to rush down the hall for an emergency, I know what pills are in the cup. I've been doing this for years and never deviate.

nurse yoda · Oct 1, 2005

Sorry to see that once again nurses are eating their young. :crying2: Part of the pathological aspects of this profession. If others are doing the NOC shift, that means you don't have to. As to signing off the meds ahead of time, the "dumb NOC nurse" is probably the only nurse on shift with a what? 93:1 ratio? As a "dumb NOC nurse" I have a 75:1 ratio, I only have to give meds to about a dozen patients, but they are all over the building. The "dumb NOC nurse" is the med nurse for all of your wings (as well as the charge and treatment nurse). Pushing that heavy cart down the hallway for maybe one patient is not practical, faster & easier to hand carry the med to the patient individually. Because I am only me deep, I have to set up their meds ahead of time. This includes labeling and signing the MAR when I set up the meds. If someone refuses a med, I will go back and circle it, remember, I only have to give meds to a dozen people, so I know them by heart. Because "dumb NOC nurses" have to be everyone, the system has to be different. We can't stand outside the dining room passing meds while the residents are eating like the nurses on day shift.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2005

Sorry to see that once again nurses are eating their young. Part of the pathological aspects of this profession. If others are doing the NOC shift, that means you don't have to. As to signing off the meds ahead of time, the "dumb NOC nurse" is probably the only nurse on shift with a what? 93:1 ratio? As a "dumb NOC nurse" I have a 75:1 ratio, I only have to give meds to about a dozen patients, but they are all over the building. The "dumb NOC nurse" is the med nurse for all of your wings (as well as the charge and treatment nurse). Pushing that heavy cart down the hallway for maybe one patient is not practical, faster & easier to hand carry the med to the patient individually. Because I am only me deep, I have to set up their meds ahead of time. This includes labeling and signing the MAR when I set up the meds. If someone refuses a med, I will go back and circle it, remember, I only have to give meds to a dozen people, so I know them by heart. Because "dumb NOC nurses" have to be everyone, the system has to be different. We can't stand outside the dining room passing meds while the residents are eating like the nurses on day shift.

That was pretty immature of that poster to throw in that dig, even if meant in jest. You are right...night nurses need to plan a bit differently, being responsible for so many patients. I have worked both nights and days and all nurses work very hard. Nonsense for one shift to slam another. Dumb nurses, who do that!! :chuckle