Med Administration short staffing

[Correctionsnurse143]

Hi everyone,

lately our correctional staff has been extremely short. Giving us challenges during medication administration. I'm my facility were unable to give medications in the dayroom or via cell-to-cell. 
With the high volume of meds (~150 clients per nurse) the med times are very slow. 
Our facility is looking at implementing a policy to help support us when we're unable to provide meds due to corrections staffing. 
what are your currently practices if you're unable to provide meds due to staffing levels? Do you call the MD? Do you triage medication neeeds? Do you have a policy in place? 

[lassieSR]

As an RN for 45 years in acute care and last 3 years in corrections, it would not be acceptable to "triage" meds in anything less than a disaster or emergency situation.  Lack of custody staffing is not enough of a reason, in any normal situation and should include escalation to your nursing supervisor. Jails and prisons are supposed to be controlled environments. Medical care does not fall as a lesser priority than visits or inmates getting laundry, commissary or tablets. Privatized medical contractors cannot dictate custody buy in to provide staff for medical encounters, but government provided medical care have common administration as the custody side and may better communicate deficiencies.