Meds in food

[bioniclewoman]

I was told by coworkers that if someone won't take their meds you should put it in their food. I thought you weren't allowed to force someone to take meds and that seems like force. I asked if I needed to get special permission from family or something signed, but they said no you just do it. Is this normal in LTC? I was told that I can't keep writting refused on the MAR, that I will get in trouble. Can't I just document it and make sure the DR and family knows.

[BoopetteRN]

I also think hiding meds in food is illegial. They can be put in applesauce or ice cream. As long as it is documented and after 3 missed doeses the doctor is notified there should not be any problem. Sometimes it is very difficult to get residents to take their meds, dfferent approaches sometimes work, but there are those that just will not take their meds not matter what, as long as Dr, family and it is care planned it should be ok.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

Unless you have a Court Order stating that you are to allowed to do whatever is necessary (short of holding pt down & shoveling in the meds) to get the meds into your patient, you cannot hide thier meds in food or drink. I have a couple patients that I am allowed to hide meds in food, court ordered, and a few families have given us written orders to hide meds in food or drinks if refused, other than that, document refusal and contact DR to make aware of situation.

[blessedmomma247]

If a pt is refusing meds...you document what time the med was ordered to be given and what the med was and why the pt refused it. What I do is notify the MD when this is becoming routine. I had a pt who was on Keflex...and the pt just would not take it...Its a large pill and taste terrible when you open it up to mix with applesauce or pudding...the pt would hold under their tongue and later spit it out... After about 3 to miss doses, I notified the MD and got it DCd and a new ABT ordered that was smaller and easier to swallow. I have another pt that refuses meds constantly. They only take Tylenol (TID) Lasix (BID) and a multi-vit....the client only takes the Lasix...so I notifed the MD that my pt refuses the Tyl and the multi-vit..got them DC'd.

Follow your gut instinct...If you have questions, talk to your DON.