Preprinted Medication Sheets

[nurseob7]

Just wondering if any units are able to use preprinted medication sheets? When a pt delivers, most docs routinely order 4 or 5 oral medications to be used prn, and a couple topicals prn. (With a cesearean, the number of routine prn meds increases) We have to hand write each medication on a med sheet AND only write generic name ........ this is so frustrating since it seems like a waste of precious time to me......... were told that preprinted med sheets are not acceptable due to increased possibility of med errors (nurses might forget to cross out a med from the sheet that was not ordered)

I'd love to know what other units around the country are doing --- if it is not a Joint Commission requirement, I'm going to try hard to get this practice changed.

Thanks !!

[caliotter3]

When my home hlth agencies started using preprinted MAR, it got really out of control. Mistake after mistake after mistake. No cooperation to get anything corrected, as the office help typing this stuff up didn't know what the **** they were doing to begin with, and no supervisory oversight. Whenever there was supvr input it still gets done w/mistakes. Just goes to show you how much a lack of attention to detail can put the field crew in jeopardy. Generic is the way I do orders personally. Way I was taught, to avoid med errors.

Preprinted MAR are only useful, if handled properly. The bottom line is there will be med errors either way, if proper care and input are not used. And I've seen the kind of sheets you are suggesting....again, they would be a big time saver and cut down on med errors, but only if properly used. Nothing is going to work if the policy makers will not take responsibility to make certain that it happens.

[MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN]

:typing (Tennessee) I put together 8 or 9 different med sheets that we are using. I would be happy to email them to you if you'd like. Some of them are: Admission L&D meds, Group B strep meds, Vag delivery postpartum meds, CS postpartum meds, Mag Sulfate for Preterm Labor, Scheduled CS meds, Epidural/ Intrathecal Morphine Post CS meds etc.

PM me if you'd like them.