Medication Aides

[feisty_lpn, LPN]

The OBON has implemented a pilot program for certified medication aides to run through mid-2007 in 80 LTC facilities. As an LPN, I now feel that my title and job security is threatened. If this pilot program is a success and Ohio allows STNAs to become med certified, where does that leave the LPNs? We'll become virtually non-existant. Instead of an LPN for each unit, there may be ONE for the entire facility and we'll be in charge of the CMAs. If there's a med error, would it be our license on the line? This whole thing is making my head spin.

I'm very upset over this. I can't wait to start LPN-to-ADN next year.

Here's the link ... http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/medicationAides.htm

[Cheez-It!]

Reading the little bit that I have, they'll still need LPN's. They can't do meds through any sort of tube, g/ng/etc, no inhalers, they can't split pills, no injections, they can not start a new order, can not touch peds, and it's repeated over and over, they can not touch class 2. I didn't actually read it anywhere, but it looks like they can't do any sort of PRN's either. Makes sense though. They wouldn't be trained to make that call.

I'm not feeling too threatened because I work in a psych facility. It would probably be a bigger hassle to have a med aide considering 90% of our residents get narcs at all med passes, and a lot of them recieve PRN injections on almost a daily basis.

It goes on to talk about an LPN may only delegate to an aide if the RN supervising the LPN can delegate to that aide. It does state the nurse has to delegate giving PRN's ... so i wouldn't feel to threatened. They are very limited in what they can do.

[NoWaNrN, ASN, RN]

A lady I know Med aid started where she works and instead of having one hall to do by herself she now has 2 halls to do b/c of the med techs. SHe said she would rather just have the one hall and do everything herself b/c she feels stretched in all directions. She has to complete what the MA cannot do, do all the paper work and asessments. They don't take away med pass and not a anything to your load. They add many more tasks.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

Where I live medication aides can give all narcs and PRN's. Of course they cannot give mouth inhalers ( but can nasal sprays) and injections.

Reading the little bit that I have, they'll still need LPN's. They can't do meds through any sort of tube, g/ng/etc, no inhalers, they can't split pills, no injections, they can not start a new order, can not touch peds, and it's repeated over and over, they can not touch class 2. I didn't actually read it anywhere, but it looks like they can't do any sort of PRN's either. Makes sense though. They wouldn't be trained to make that call.

I'm not feeling too threatened because I work in a psych facility. It would probably be a bigger hassle to have a med aide considering 90% of our residents get narcs at all med passes, and a lot of them recieve PRN injections on almost a daily basis.

It goes on to talk about an LPN may only delegate to an aide if the RN supervising the LPN can delegate to that aide. It does state the nurse has to delegate giving PRN's ... so i wouldn't feel to threatened. They are very limited in what they can do.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Reading the little bit that I have, they'll still need LPN's. They can't do meds through any sort of tube, g/ng/etc, no inhalers, they can't split pills, no injections, they can not start a new order, can not touch peds, and it's repeated over and over, they can not touch class 2.

They can't do this---yet!

Once upon a time a license was needed to pass meds, and now it isn't. What will they allow next?

[GrnHonu99, RN]

I am not a fan of the idea of medication aids. Passing meds requires so much more than an aide can do. There are nursing tasks such as the nursing process that needs to be done when passing meds.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

'They" will allow whatever is quicker and cheaper when it comes to the "bottom line". Nurses are the patient's last line of defense. If we don't shout and yell our objections to this practice based on PATIENT SAFETY concerns, then this will occur within a state.

LEGISLATORS have to approve BON regulations.....make sure you include them in your letter writing campaigns.

Letting CNA pass your meds, bad idea?

[JazzeLPN]

I for one feel severely threatened by the thought of medication aides. I would llike to investigate just what type of training they receive. THere are many a times where the orders on the MAR read incorrectly, and with minimal training a MA may not be able to catch it as a nurse would. what is the world coming to that healthcare has begun to take so many shortcuts. These "shortcuts" are really not shortcuts at all. They become a liability issue. I for one worked too damn hard for my license to jeopardize it for someone.

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

I know here in TX there are Med-Aides. they have to be a STNA first for X amount of time, then they have to go through a pharm course/med aide course and take a test (i believe) Most of the med aides work in LTC, and assisted living. i think med aids (at least here in texas) have been around quite some time. I'm not REAL familiar with all the ins and outs but there aren't very many Med-Aides that i know, most end up being an LPN or RN down the road.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

I am against the practice.

[Laurab14]

I hate passing meds, I would rather have spend it assessing residents and actually supervising aides. This is hard to do when you are spending hours doing a med pass.

Laura RN:nurse:

[gmRN08]

I would not want my license to be on the line for a med aide. I agree regarding the mar problems. I know that there is so much time spent on the phone with the pharmacy correcting problems that I am not sure a med aide would catch.

I feel they are trying to eliminate LPN positions frolm hospitals in Ohio. They are phasing them out at the Clinic.

(hearsay)I was told by a nurse from Southwast Gen that they let all the LPNs go aabout a month ago. I think that is sad because I Personally have worked with several LPNs and they were extremely competent and worked very hard. There knowledge was very valuable to me as a student.