Organiztion for medicine cabinet?

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Specializes in school nurse.

Hi?. I'm new to School nursing. Looking for suggestions on the best way to organize the medicine cabinet. I have a "tool box" looking cabinet hung eye level. It has two shelves and is approximately 2.5'w X 3'H. I've seen the suspension rod with hanging bags but, concerned that might constantly fall..... Thanks for any suggestions.

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Are you thinking about student's prescribed meds?  I personally am a fan of the hanging pharmacy-style bags on the rod - they're easy to label, easy to grab, and you can get different sizes to accommodate everything from a single pill bottle to a glucometer, spacer, etc (although you have to plan for that when you set up the rod).  Shoe-box-type containers are another popular choice that I've seen. 

I'll confess that organizing is one of my favorite non-student-related aspects of school nursing! I have a fetish for the Container Store that I shouldn't even discuss in public ?

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I use Sterilite storage totes.  They have lids so they stack easily.  My medications are organized type of med (Epi, inhaler, prescription, OTC) and for those that have 2+ boxes they're split up by first letter of the last name.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I keep RX meds in a double lock cabinet.  Top shelf for prns, middle for dalies and bottom shelf as my "graveyard" to keep d/c or other left behind meds secure until I can drop them off for disposal (not ideal, I want people to take their stuff back, but we all know how that goes).  I got 2 multi drawer cabinets (from school health) one for epipens and one for inhalers.  

oh, also - I just keep my daily meds in their RX bottles and flip them upside down after I admin.  

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.
18 hours ago, Flare said:

I keep RX meds in a double lock cabinet.  Top shelf for prns, middle for dalies and bottom shelf as my "graveyard" to keep d/c or other left behind meds secure until I can drop them off for disposal (not ideal, I want people to take their stuff back, but we all know how that goes).  I got 2 multi drawer cabinets (from school health) one for epipens and one for inhalers.  

oh, also - I just keep my daily meds in their RX bottles and flip them upside down after I admin.  

I am AMAZED that someone else has the same system I have! Almost exactly the same! The only major difference is that I have a 4th shelf, so I am able to separate OTC PRNs and RX PRNs. Otherwise, the rest is exactly the same! Great minds!

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I have a similar system to the two above posters - cabinet on the wall, plastic bins from the dollar store for AM, Noon, After noon, and PRN.   I also have a "no longer need" bin and a bin of empty med bottles (they'll come in handy some day right?).    When its med time, I just bring the bin down to the counter and do the "flip upside down" thing after I've given it.  

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Specializes in school nurse.

Thanks for the help! GREAT tips!

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