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Discussion

Pill Cutter Cleaning

I am an infection control nurse. I need to implement a cleaning / tracking tool to document that the pill cutter is being cleaned between patient use. It needs to satisfy JACO requirements, but I don't want it to be too cumbersome for my fellow nurses. I am curious to know how this is being handled at other facilities, and welcome your feedback. Thanks!

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    We have pt specific pill cutters, not community ones.

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    i don't see that this would be an infection control issue

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    i don't see that this would be an infection control issue

    I would be more concerned about residual medications reaching someone who was allergic to them.

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    I used to use a dry kleenex to wipe out residue. If your hands are washed and clean each time you use it, this should not be a problem. It never was where I worked.

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    Don't the Silent Knight pill crushers have a plastic sleeve? Idk why that wouldn't solve the problem

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    Don't the Silent Knight pill crushers have a plastic sleeve? Idk why that wouldn't solve the problem

    Yes this solves the problem for crushing pills but not for cutting them in halves or fourths with a pill cutter. I think every patient should have their own pill cutter.

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    We also have switched to one pill cutter per patient. It's kept in their med drawer and then sent home with them.

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    nurses should not be cutting pills, that should happen in the pharmacy

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    nurses should not be cutting pills, that should happen in the pharmacy

    What kind of facility are you from? Our pills are stocked in common sizes in the Pyxis and it's not uncommon to need to cut them.

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    What kind of facility are you from? Our pills are stocked in common sizes in the Pyxis and it's not uncommon to need to cut them.

    LTC, we are not allowed, it is considered dispensing.

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    Where are the pills being cut? If the pill cutter is not taken into individual patients' rooms, how is it at risk for contamination?

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    We keep pill cutters in the WOWs drawer. There is also a canister of alcohol wipes on each WOW so after use, the pill cutter is wiped down & stored back in the drawer.

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