SpeakUp4ever

Yes, I do understand its just like a non-licensed family member passing out medication, but I have seen and heard that mistakes such as giving the wrong Blood Pressure Med to the wrong person or not giving it or giving the wrong dose .. many many times. It just gets looked at as a 'ut-oh' and forgotten. Yes the Med Assistants do read the MARS and are responsible for dispensing and giving ( just as a family member would) but with only a 1 day course on administration not the importance of the drug or what its is even for, is just not right. I use to work in a AL where there was 1 med passer for 40 residents, most of the residents were not so 'assisted' but the company did not care ( I'm also talking about a multi-level building where most of the residents love to wander). 1 med tech doing treatments, pills, insulin's even (just trained on the job).. didn't sound logical to me, setting that person up for failure and the RN responsible. I wouldn't let my family live there if thats how they are treated for how much they pay for just having their pills dispensed. I understand also that not all Narcotics are dangerous, but keep in mind that its the elderly.. or mentally challenged, wouldn't feel horrible if you gave the wrong dosage of a controlled substance to someone or overdosed and not have known because of lack of knowledge?

Greatly appreciated opinions on this thought. Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities ...etc. Having a 8 Hrs Course to CNA's for Passing medication to residents. Why does anyone think this is a good idea? I am not new to this concept. In fact I have worked where there has been 40 residents a 2 Hour window for meds and ONE med passer... (multi level assisted living home) ... errors are being thrown under the rug and forgotten like lightning. WRONG.... just plain wrong.