Passing Meds without the REDS

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

What exactly does going red mean?

Your facility is quite aware of the fact that you can't give meds to 12 patients and stay in the window.

My last hospital job, whenever I was out of the precious window, I had to check a reason as to why. Patient off floor, etc. We all joked that they needed to add the correct answer "not Freaking possible".

calivianya, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

What exactly does going red mean?
Your facility is quite aware of the fact that you can't give meds to 12 patients and stay in the window.
My last hospital job, whenever I was out of the precious window, I had to check a reason as to why. Patient off floor, etc. We all joked that they needed to add the correct answer "not Freaking possible".

I like that "not freaking possible" option. It really should be on there; there is no way to medicate that many patients on time.

Although, I hear cocaine and amphetamines help you work faster. You could also try being totally obnoxious and rude and tell the patients they are not allowed to be thirsty, need pain medicine, speak, pee, get up, or have a bowel movement until you are done with your med pass. Both of those things might get your meds done in the required time, you know, if you don't mind being fired afterwards.

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 17, 2016

Unless your meds are off by many hours, I would concentrate instead on medication safety.

I presume "in the red" means the color the med time changes to on the computer screen when it is beyond the scheduled time.

12 patients? What department do you work in?

brownbook · Feb 17, 2016

You are new so maybe it is just a matter of getting a better routine down. Anybody new at any job is going to go slower at first? I don't mean to imply anything about you, but you don't give us much details to go on. One nurse and 12 patients does seem impossible to manage.

I have no idea what RED means?

Ask your boss, co-worker from another shift, or even your aides, (if you have any?) if they have suggestions, how have other nurses managed it?

The Institute for Safe Medical Practice, (just Google ISMP), has guidelines on Timely Administration of Scheduled Meds. The ISMP does a good job using evidence based practice to point out the dangers of arbitrary "30 minutes before, 30 minutes after" policies when giving meds.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

In most of the EMRs I have worked with, the medication was either highlighted in red or the font went to red text once it was late. I am assuming that is what OP means.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Feb 17, 2016

CERNER system?

nortonplusRN · Feb 17, 2016

New nurse here. I have gotten my first nursing job, and was wondering what advice you guys can give on how to give meds, check glucose, and give insulin without going red.
I am the only nurse, and right now I have 12 patients. We have and hour before, and an hour after before we go red, bu prep can be little overwhelming.
Thanks,
Marie

Where do you work? 12 pts in LTC or rehab floor is heaven.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

What exactly does going red mean?
Your facility is quite aware of the fact that you can't give meds to 12 patients and stay in the window.
My last hospital job, whenever I was out of the precious window, I had to check a reason as to why. Patient off floor, etc. We all joked that they needed to add the correct answer "not Freaking possible".

No kidding! I only have 6 pts at most and I have nights where I can't medicate them all in a 2 hour window. There have been times when I finished my 9pms with my midnights. Those nights we do need "not freaking possible" or "What the heck do you expect out of us"

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

CERNER system?

I detest Cerner.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Feb 18, 2016

I detest Cerner.

I see your detest of Cerner and raise you one utter disgust of that waste of technological stupidity.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2016

I like that "not freaking possible" option. It really should be on there; there is no way to medicate that many patients on time.
Although, I hear help you work faster. You could also try being totally obnoxious and rude and tell the patients they are not allowed to be thirsty, need pain medicine, speak, pee, get up, or have a bowel movement until you are done with your med pass. Both of those things might get your meds done in the required time, you know, if you don't mind being fired afterwards.

A paradox that "cocaine and amphetamines" are illegal substances.. that would get you canned in a heartbeat upon a random drug screen.

But..it would be the little boost needed to get those meds passed.