Med decisions in LTC

[thaddeus2241]

I am applying to nursing school and joined this site to ease my way into the "community."

I have a grandmother in a LTC facility and was curious after my last visit.

How often do Drs make rounds in the LTC setting? and, how involved is the nursing staff with regard to medicating patients - not just passing them out but which meds should be used, etc. It seems that the staff would be more aware of which meds and dosages are working and if there are any side effects and/or complaints.

Just wanted to get some input...

Thanks!

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

our doctors make rounds every 30 days on the dot however, i am on the on phone with them constantly. when i walk in the door in the morning i start looking at my patients even before i clock in. i know them well enough to know if something is wrong and can usually zone in and pick it out. i constantly assess ...re-assess then do it all over again. when they walk by my desk i look at how they walk to see if they are limping to see if they need pain meds... i am very aware of everything that is going on with my patients at all times.

[thaddeus2241]

Will the docs usually listen to your recommendations?

[dawn30]

Most of the docs do listen to us. We are their eyes and ears after all. Very rarely do I have a doc argue with me over the phone or completely disregard what I'm saying. They know that we know our patients better than they do.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

It all depends on your facility. I worked in one place and the doc made rounds on his short term residents every week. He would always listen to the nursing recommendations about medications...especially pain meds. Not all docs are that good tho and some come every 60 days and never even look at the meds. Good luck with your career.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i usually just tell him what is going on and ask him for a certain med and most of the time he could care less. i have been working with these doc's forever though...

will the docs usually listen to your recommendations?

[Patti 2nd gen RN]

YES!!! Especially after we have been here a while --the relationships between doc's and nurses is also more long term, and the trust increases--it's one of the thinkgs I love about TCU nursing!!!