do you do med passes in dining room?

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We just had this taken away and I could cry.

keep in mind, its not a SNF. We don't keep a cart in the hall. The options are they can come to the med room or they can be delivered in their apartment.

anyway, I thought it was rather natural for those who like their pills at the table for them be take them at the table right after they finish eating.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Hi Retread, When I worked 3-11 many years ago, I used to take the cart right into into the dining room. The patients expected it! Now, however, it is supposedly a "no-no" by the state surveyors. I can understand not doing accuchecks, BP's or eyedrops, but,........Seems like we should be going along with resident's wishes, too. :confused:

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

No giving them in the dining room where I work. It really hasnt been a problem for us since our residents come to the med room for their pills.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I work in an ALF. Dinnertime pills are given in the dining room, or the resident's apartment.

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Yes..there is no way in heck that I would get things done. Are we technically allowed to do it...no.

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Yes..there is no way in heck that I would get things done. Are we technically allowed to do it...no.

When I worked day shift... I would pass in the dining room. Was I allowed? Nope.

I work nights now, so no worries....

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I just want to say that it is wrong, but some times we are able to careplan it that the resident will only take the meds there.

Being discrete is key too and not doing the eye drops etc.

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Specializes in LTC.

We're not supposed to, but it happens sometimes.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Per State surveyors, meds in the dining hall are a big no-no in SNFs.

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Specializes in Mental and Behavioral Health.

Who makes these regulations? Not someone who stands behind med cart for 6 hours a day, tired, hungry, and trying hard not to wet their pants!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I've worked in many SNFs and we never allowed meds to be given at meal time unless the order read "give with food". I'm thinking it's one of the archaic regs from the days when most of the residents were basically healthy and the resident who took more than 9 meds was the exception not the rule.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

With 12 accu-checks and a full med pass to do between 1600 and 1800, I'd never get it all done on time if I were to pull everyone out of the dining hall, one at a time, for their fingersticks. As a former DON I know what the regulations are and I understand the sentiments behind them, but IRL it is unrealistic to expect floor nurses to do things by the book given the patient loads and the heavy responsibilities we carry.

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