vjohnsonrn

We recently did a survey in our clinic regarding the type of calls we get and the amount of calls we get on a weekly basis. Our number 1 calls have to do with appointments and referrals. The number 2 highest call were prescription refill requests. My clinic recieves appx. 590 calls per week just for refills not includung the the request that come via fax. Presently we are utilizing a prescription line that the patient's use to leave messages and the PCP's secretary will transcribe and forward the request to the RN's, when then make an assessment as to if the prescription can be refilled etc. Our new fearless leader ( new director of outpatient clinic)feels the nurses should take the messages from the prescription line because then it would free up the secretaries. Secretaries are not responsible for patient care and making life altering decisions. I work with 5 PCP and each one of them has their own secretary. This has been an ongoing battle between the RN's in our clinic and Administration. How do others handle prescriptions.