med passes done on time?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I just got pulled from residential nursing to LTC side....They are in an uproar..."state is coming, state is coming". I am being pulled two days a week to the LTC side. I feel overwhelming incompetent when trying to get my med passes done on time. To top it off I got two write ups on my second day of orientation over there. The night nurse counts pill I guess...realized a senna dose was missed. I actually shared the cart with my orientation nurse. As I had to go to a three hour am meeting. I signed the write ups and felt disgusted with the whole thing. Does it ever get better? Does anyone get these med passes done on time? Will my license be in jeopardy if I am unable to get the am med pass done within the time frame? Thanks ♥

Specializes in CNA.

She said "These were on a card and they get two bid."....... So I don't think she was nessicarily counting the card. The ones I have seen are a month worth of meds and you punch out the correct one going by the date. So it would have been an easy catch, because it would have been the wrong date that she was going to punch out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

FWIW, Senna is typically purchased OTC, and administered via multi-vial dose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
She said "These were on a card and they get two bid."....... So I don't think she was nessicarily counting the card. The ones I have seen are a month worth of meds and you punch out the correct one going by the date. So it would have been an easy catch, because it would have been the wrong date that she was going to punch out.

Yes, but even if you just happen to notice that the previous shift missed a senna are you really going to report that? Really??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

We all know that technically if the MAR isn't signed, the med wasn't given. In reality, we give hundreds of pills a shift and sometimes forget to sign one. If someone reported a missing senna to me, I woukd think they had far too much free time on their hands.

And by the way, I've had both the DPH and the BON tell me they know nurses forget to sign every single little box

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our senna is on a card, we do not have house stock for anything scheduled, and yes we do report I administered medications regardless senna or norco. We are very very hard on ourselves and write up any and all med errors because it keeps us from becoming sloppy and is in the best interest of the resident. 'Just a senna' is just as important to the resident as any other scheduled medication, it is scheduled because it is necessary, if it is not than seek to have it d/c'd.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Our senna is on a card, we do not have house stock for anything scheduled, and yes we do report I administered medications regardless senna or norco. We are very very hard on ourselves and write up any and all med errors because it keeps us from becoming sloppy and is in the best interest of the resident. 'Just a senna' is just as important to the resident as any other scheduled medication, it is scheduled because it is necessary, if it is not than seek to have it d/c'd.

Ok, but will writing up every single pill you suspect another shift may have missed really result in better care? Or will it just result in an environment full of resentment, backstabbing and paranoia?

Im sorry, but writing another nurse up because the number of sennas doesn't add up to what you think they should be (card or bottle) is an absurd waste of time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not to play devils advocate, but if I am doing a med pass and find an error that the shift before me did (as in missing a dose). I feel its my responsability to tell someone, which most likely yes you will get written up. Because even if it is "just a senna", its still a med error.

If you did this to me, you had better make sure you have all your ducks in a row 110% of the time because I'd be the first to report you for such inconsequential nonsense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Spot on, CCM!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
If you did this to me, you had better make sure you have all your ducks in a row...

Ya! :angrybird11:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... writing another nurse up because the number of sennas doesn't add up to what you think they should be... is an absurd waste of time.

Exactamundo!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA.

But if I just left it be, then I would look like I hadn't caught the mistake....So I would either leave it in the card, which may throw someone else off their med pass, take out the missed dose and throw it away, or use the dose which in turn would make the dose I was supposed to give, look like it hadn't been given? Shouldn't the 5 rights come into play here. And I'm sorry if by catching it it makes it look like I have too much time..... maybe it's better time management, which maybe you should slow down take a deep breath and really focus on what you are doing. Trust me I know how hectic it can be, but what you give/don't give someone can potentially have dire consequences.

I admit I have missed doses on things when just starting a job, (pt was getting sch pill form, with monthly inj thrown in. Gave the inj. and forgot the pill.) I was so upset over missing a med that you can bet I was WAY more focused to next time around and I admitted I made a mistake, we all will at some point. It's called accountability for your actions...suck it up and don't go trying to blame the other nurse because you got caught...... The pt is getting a med for a reason and are trusting us to do our job and make sure they recieve it.

Sorry to be harsh but I just don't understand such a lase fair attitude, even though I understand it was "just a senna". So to the OP I hope (which I'm sure you have) you learn from this mistake and luckely it was "just a senna."

Also, just something someone told me when I messed up was "If a nurse tells you they have never mad a med error they are most likely lying." :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our cards are numbered 30 through one but they aren't always started on the first of the month. What if a new order comes in October 10th? Your card count is "off" the calendar schedule. What if the tabs were punched out and fell on the floor? Count is off. What if the resident told you "don't bother getting my Senna today I won't take it!!" What if you get three tabs of Lasix 20 mg so a card gets done in ten days?

Unless you're counting the card q shift like with narcs there is no point to looking at normal medications cards and counting those!! If you do you're a neurotic nurse and I'm glad I don't work with you.

I will report an obvious med error but I don't go looking for them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment