babiesbreath

Thanks for the reply! Makes me fell better. I've worked in LTC for 15 years but as a floor nurse at different stations, as much paperwork as I've seen, I can't believe there is even more that I haven't seen! Will I be able to keep up with 76 residents?

I work in LTC and have just been told that I'm going to start being responsible for the resident roster matrix and census report. I've seen it and it looks like Greek to me! I know it has to do with the MDS and that surveyors want it when they come. What all can you tell me about this?

Ok, now what about your flushes inbetween meds? Some say that when giving meds you are to flush with 30-50cc h2o between each med PLUS the routine flush. If I'm using the same orders as above and flush with 200cc at one med pass and then 50cc after each med, I could easily wind up using alot of extra h2o, and be giving 400 - 600cc at a time (say the pt. gets 6 different meds at 8am). I personally, in general, check for placement then flush the tube with 15-30cc to clear the line, then start giving my meds, using 10-30cc inbetween each med depending on what the med is and how much flush I have to work with, rarely going over my original routine flush of, as in this case, 200cc. And what about "saving" water? A few nurses only flush the line clear with the first meds pass, if the pt. gets no meds and then use the remaining water PLUS the next scheduled 200cc for the med pass with the most meds.

There seems to be some debate about proper administration of gtube flushes, meds, and feedings at our facility. Let's say, for example, I have a pt. with the following orders: Glucerna at 70cc/hr per gtube continuous, Flush gtube with 200cc H2O Q4h, and the pt. receives various meds (includes metamucil twice a day - very hard to get down gtube!) at each med pass (which are set up at 12mn, 6am, 12noon, and 6pm) - gtube flushes are set up 12-4-8-12-4-8. In your opinion, how do you properly administer the water flushes and meds? And, are your gtube flushes to used with your med pass, for example, do you have 400cc/shift to flush and give meds with or do you "add" water for med administration?