New lpn in assisted living.

LaLaEm4 · Apr 27, 2014

You will get faster, I'm about to be in the same boat because when you aren't familiar with your residents, you're slow and that's ok. It will get better. Make a brain sheet with everyone's name and preferences, details, etc to help yourself. How many residents are you passing to?

Nkrystal.lpn · Apr 27, 2014

Yep they already made brain sheets. I have 28 residents to one lpn ratio. Also I now know to save my paperwork for after med pass. When you give meds do you go out one at a time to give them to residents or do you group them in threes and label the med cups?

LaLaEm4 · Apr 29, 2014

I go one at a time...at my old job I would maybe do two at a time, but it was a day setting so I would pour two, label them, and then cross the building to give to clients. Each was only on one med, so it wasn't as risky as I could differentiate b/w meds just by looking at the pill. But honestly, I still rarely did that.

In this setting now, I personally wouldn't pass three at a time...I just wouldn't feel comfortable because I hardly know them and they're on a bunch of different meds. I have 36:1 at this setting, and I'm planning on taking my time and not sweating the window, I'd rather be safe...and luckily that's the philosophy of the DON (she wants us to be timely, but she's been very honest and understanding about the high number and the time it takes to learn the residents and the pass)...prioritizing my diabetics, pain meds, my residents w/ parkinsons, my residents w/ parameters for BP meds, etc.

Are you popping meds out of a card or do you have that baggie system from the pharmacy all nicely labelled? (I don't know the right name for the little tear baggies, I'm new to it, but it definitely saves time during my checks)

Good luck, would love to hear how you're doing!

Nkrystal.lpn · May 14, 2014

We use the pop charts, never seen the baggies wouldn't sound like a bad idea though! I have only been working one unit and it's easier I know there names now, I guess the state will be coming in soon so the labeling 2 cups at a time thing is out the window, it's just so strenuous walking down that long hall several times.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 14, 2014

I thought assisted living the residents take their own medications, you just "observe" them?

If you are passing meds, at first I would do one at a time. Make sure that you document as you go. Then there's no confusion on popping a med that then the resident doesn't take, that needs to be held for whatever reason, who needs prns, that type of thing.

If this is the evening shift, and the day is winding down, I would go to the residents who are needing meds at dinner, early evening. Then the rest I would go to the resident, and have them come to your desk/cart/area. They can come on their way back from after dinner activity. The few that are left you could go to their room before 9pm.

There is more than one resident who likes the idea that they can come to you prior to 9pm for their medications. It gives them a sense of control. For those who are confused, demented, or forgetful, you will remember them (and be sure you are 100% sure you identify them correctly) and they may be the ones that you take by the hand and lead to your office for med pass.

It is a different story during the day when there's lots of activity and the residents have begun their day and involved in things. In the evening it tends to be a lot less active, so you may have to change things up a bit to make it work well.

Best of luck, you will get this!!

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 14, 2014

Oh, and use your CNA's. They can bring resident to you on their way to do HS care and help resident to bed. They are such a great part of your team--and can assist in you getting the residents medicated in a timely fashion.

Nkrystal.lpn · May 15, 2014

Thanks !! Yes I realized that I can't give meds in the actual dinning room but I make sure to catch them on there way down since they pass the nurses station it gets nerve wrecking though to have like 4 at the desk wanting to get to dinner quickly I always say your food won't grow legs and run away and haha yea about 5 residents ask to get there meds right at 8pm and I can't be there all at once then they put there call lights on. Maybe since I'm new they are expecting more but it's better to have accurate meds then rushing and making an error.

Nkrystal.lpn · May 15, 2014

The CNAs always wheel them to me it is great how much help they give me.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 15, 2014

You could always make a plan with a resident who rings for meds all at 8pm.

"I am going to come to you at 7:45 with your meds" and the next one, "I will be to you at 8:00" etc. For the more "challenging" "I can come to see you at 7:30 or at 7:45, which do you prefer?"

It really makes me smile because 8pm around these parts is when Wheel of Fortune is over, therefore, bed time!! SO....be sure you are not going to interrupt "Wheel" HAHAHAHA (for us day folk it is "Price is Right") :roflmao:

abbnurse · May 16, 2014

It really makes me smile because 8pm around these parts is when Wheel of Fortune is over, therefore, bed time!! SO....be sure you are not going to interrupt "Wheel" HAHAHAHA (for us day folk it is "Price is Right")

That is so true! Where I live, it's "Wheel of Fortune" and then "Jeopardy!"....and they are over at 8:00pm. Then, off to bed for lots of folks! :sleep: P.S. I literally never call my mother to chat during "Wheel of Fortune", she wouldn't like it!

Nkrystal.lpn · May 16, 2014

Hahaha! That's a wonderful idea to give them a choice for a bit earlier. My one resident watches mtv and when I go into her room she is sound asleep with rap blasting it is the funniest thing in the entire world.