Postpartum Self Medication Program

[midwife2b]

Does your hospital provide a postpartum self medication plan for your new moms? What does it consist of? Where are the medications kept?

I just learned that the self med plan that had been in place for almost 10 years was stopped because there was no way to "keep the medications secure". How do you all handle this?

[RNnL&D]

We use self meds, including Motrin, Senokot, and Materna. They are kept at the pt's bedside, after the pt is educated about use and recording when the dose is taken. They are only given enough for two nights. I don't suppose they are technically "secure". However, pts are allowed to take their home meds and keep them at their bedside also. It hasn't been an issue where I work.

I don't suppose there is a big demand for maternal vitamins and stool softeners. :chuckle

[palesarah]

we don't do this at my current hospital but my previous hospital had a self-meds program for postpartum. Small bottles of Tylenol, Motrin and stool softeners, they were kept at the bedside in a little bag that zipped. Mom recorded when she took each medication on a sheet, was also given a teaching sheet and verbal instructions. JCAHO was OK with it when this hospital had their survey in 2004.

[gypsyatheart]

Post partum self med programs are great! At my last contract, a naval/military facility, all the moms got what was called "brown bag meds": Motrin, tylenol, colace, PNV and maybe Fe as well. What a timesaver for the nurse, plus mom has what she needs at her disposal. She could also be provided w/cans of topical spray and dermoplast. She was given an instruction sheet w/a place for her to record when she had taken the meds. It's great...these are all OTC items and it is part of the PP standing orders, so it's covered, no problem.

[webbiedebbie]

I worked at one hospital where they used to do this. They don't now because of the risk of toddlers/children getting into the medications.

[camay1221_RN]

The previous hospital I worked for gives self med packs with Motrin, stool softeners and simethicone.

My current postpartum unit does not offer self med packs.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I worked at one hospital where they used to do this. They don't now because of the risk of toddlers/children getting into the medications.

CLEARLY this is a BIG risk and not worth taking. This is why we don't do med packs at the bedside anymore.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

I have always wondered why someone hasn't developed a PCA kind of machine for pills. Wouldn't it be nice to have percocet, T#3, motrin, etc in a machine that is programmed and the patient can just push the button?????