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Discussion

Opening capsules

We are having a debate about opening and floating capsules at the prison I work at in California. Sacramento has sent us a memo saying we are to open and float all Gaba capsules. Some LVN's refuse to do it because they say it is out of our scope of practice to do that here in California. I can't find any specific wording that says we can't. Does anyone know for sure if we are actually allowed to open and float capsules or not? Thanks!

Jax

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    • Featured Replies

    • Expert

    Hmm - are you opening all capsules? Some capsules are encapsulated because they are sustained-release so if you open them then you would make them instant release.

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    • Author

    Not all capsules, just Gabapentin, we have an order to crush or open and float capsules from the bosses in Sacramento because to many guys are checking them and selling them.

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    • Expert

    I am ignorant about "floating". Could you please explain? How does this practice keep the guys from their little enterprise?

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    • Expert

    Floating = mixing the med in fluid or a bite of wet, soft food (applesauce, pudding) to prevent cheeking.

    I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy the stuff, you certainly can't catch a buzz off it (unlike many other seizure meds).

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    • Expert

    Oh, and I'm fairly certain that LPNs in CA who pass meds in other facilites crush or liquify medications for patients who can't swallow them whole. I don't think the LPN scope of practice would change due to the location.

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    • Expert

    We did this all the time in LTC. So I am certain it is within the scope of practice. Don't see how the type of patient or reason for doing this makes any difference.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the input, I agree that we do it for other patients in LTC that can't swallow, why would it not be allowed somewhere else. Personally, I think some of the nurses who are using that as the excuse not to open them are just to lazy to open them.

    And buzz or no buzz, they are a hot ticket item in our yards right now. The CO's are busting inmates left and right with huge stashes of Gabapentin, 300mg or 600mg might not do much for you but 30 or more 300mg capsules stashed in one cell might.

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    I open all benedryl and hydroxyzine because people like to stash these hadn't considered gaba...we crush everything crushable. We recently instituted mandatory mouth checks by the officers because one IM would take his meds all crushed in applesauce then spit them in his coffee for another IM to drink.:barf02:I know right...

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    We have had a few smart ones even put toothpaste at top of their mouth...the pill ofcourse sticks in it...smart thinking actually for these folks. What won't they think up

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    We had an officer that stood next to the IM and checked inside of the mouth of each IM before they were allowed to move past the med window. Also, all capsules / narcs were dissolved in water prior to administration.

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    We had an officer that stood next to the IM and checked inside of the mouth of each IM before they were allowed to move past the med window. Also, all capsules / narcs were dissolved in water prior to administration.

    lol must be nice... Oftentimes the nurses at my facility are kind of left to fend for themselves while the officer's chit-chat in a nearby office. There is this huge "Us Vs. Them" mentality between the nurses and correctional staff, it's rather perplexing.

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