how much time for AM med pass?

[retread71]

I have 14 people whom I do AM meds, which includes 3 FSBS, 1 insulin, 2 BP, 1 ted hose, (2) topical creams with one leg wrap, and one inhaler.

I think it takes me about 30 min. just to preset meds if I am not interrupted and the orders are perfect. Is this too slow?

the pass itself depends on morning care. I am med tech/care staff

[sistasoul]

I never get my meds done on time. Between interruptions of patients needing to see you, treatments, and behavioral issues, residents who take forever to take their pills, it is impossible. I could leave all treatments for last but this would mean waking up these folks at 10 pm or later. This should be the time I am charting and restocking my cart.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I am managing now to get all 20 people done by 9:15 at latest, we need to stagger the MARs but I think that would be a job in itself to get the pharmacy to comply.

The pharmacy is a vendor like any other. They work for US. If yours isn't cooperating call your pharmacy consultant and ask why.

[achot chavi]

LOL! it should be an olypmic category

read the whole thread- I wrote this already: Is it a winter or summer sport?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

staff new to ltc/assisted living/independent living facilites always need time to adjust to med pass till they get to know residents and are able to develop a routine.

from reading their other posts, retread71 is a caregiver in community type facility, not a hospital/snf, so regs are less stringent. many community facilities: group homes, boarding homes for those with mh/mr, domicile care homes do not have a rolling med cart, sometimes just a locked cabinet or drawer where meds are stored and dispensed.

[freddiebear]

The main focus should be on safety and accuracy. The priority is the timing of blood sugars and insulin. In my state you have one hour before and one hour after a medicine is ordered to administer it. Sometimes you can call the doctor and change the times if you cant get them all done in a reasonable time frame. As in dont have 9 am to give all the oral medications and treatments if that is not reasonable. You can check blood sugars and give insulin at one time, give oral meds at another and treatments at another. Never give meds faster than it is safe. I would think that oral meds take a priority over topical treatments.

[twokidsmom,rn]

Our largest med pass including BP meds and pain narcs are at 6AM. We have usually 12-15 pts to give meds to. Yes it is before breakfast, we have to give them constipation meds often. I think it is unsafe, we do not have a pharmacy that is open, also we have the smallest amount of staff. Just wondering what other places have there largest med pass.