PillPusher1

I'm an older nurse. I've been there done that. So Medicine pass is not a new thing to me. I've had experience with Bingo type card pass in the past. However, for all you starting out, let me tell you, UNTILL you get to know your patients, you will be slower than usual. I'd rather have a slow BUT accurate pass, than one that is rushed and errors made. I DO know how things go. Some have meds all set up before the pass. BAD idea. What if something happens and you have to leave? Not only have you left medicines to waste, but cost is phenomenal, and there ya have it. Patients are people. You have a huge responsibility with regards to medication. I don't care WHAT degree you have behind your name. It's a huge responsibility AND a blessing that you can have. With that being said, I recently took a position after years of working in other fields, BACK to a LTC facility giving ONLY the meds. Just meds. I too, had a learning curve, again. I had to learn my patients, who to crush, who not to crush, and who would refuse that Protein supplement! In allllll the experience I've had, and familiar with the Med Pass routines, it STILL takes me 2 hours on a hall for BT meds, for 30 patients. And I have 2 halls. So 4 hours on a med cart at night. I don't think I can trim it any closer. I think the DON would like me to, so I can help the Nurses NOT giving meds, but then really? I'm now doing their jobs AND mine. I don't pre-pull any meds, and always, always, ALWAYS read the MAR like my Bible. If it's not there, it's not given. If it's a new medication, not in yet, I have to stop and go get it from our Emergency backup IF we have it. SO don't stress over trying to RACE. Stress if you're not able to READ, and you are cutting corners. FAST is not the goal here.