Nursing in Montana

[rdkj]

I currently work at a job where we use an outside pharmacy. Meds are shipped in from Philadelphia, PA, we receive them at the facility, the nurses have to check them into the med room, (they come in blister packs), and then we sign them out to the patients. The patients are allowed to keep some of these meds in their rooms, and the rest are dispensed at med pass twice a day. We've had discussions among us nurses at work, "Is this dispensing medication"? Our employer says no, as the pharmacy has already prepackaged the meds. But at the same time, we are required to place an expiration sticker on the the blister packs as they are all a 30 day supply of meds that they keep on them. Not to mention we have to write down the # of each med dispensed and the day they were dispensed in the med book. We do not have a pharmacist on staff, and our ADON is "acting" pharmacist, and they have also hired a pharmacy tech, for day time hours only. Most of the work is done at night. Our employer say the ADON can act as pharmacist, on the contracted pharmacy license in Philadelphia. We don't think so! Nurses must carry a license in every state, I believe pharmacist's do also. ANYFEED BACK IS APPRECIATED.

[Rohan]

You might get more feedback with a title like ADON as pharmacist.

Good luck!

[geekgolightly, BSN, RN]

JHACO does not allow medications to be kept in patient's rooms. Is your facility JHACO certified?

[rdkj]

It's not JACHO certified. In fact, the employer is the Montana State Prison!!! Politics and gov't rules probably have something to do with it. I guess I should have said "inmates" instead of patients. Old habits are hard to break.

Most psychotropic meds are not kept in their rooms/cells, nor are Narcotics, but BP meds, oral diabetic meds, APAP, Ibuprofen, stool softeners etc., are kept in their cells. Their philosophy is that this gives the inmates "responsibility" for their own health care. Either take the meds or not, is more like it. And yes, we do have the occasional overdose.

[rdkj]

Where should I post it? category wise?

[Rohan]

Good old Deer Lodge! There's a correctional nursing forum.

[rdkj]

I'm new to this site. Thanks for the info. Where do I find the correctional nursing forum? Please elaborate on "good old Deer Lodge"? If you can. Have you worked there before?

[rdkj]

found it!! thanks for the info. Please elaborate if you will. I'm curious.

[Rohan]

I'll send you a private message :)