Pyxis question

[blueflower33]

Hi, I withdrew a blood pressure medication from pyxis . I lost the medication and did not return and forgot to report. What can I expect to happen?

I am terrified to report now because it has been a couple of days.

Thank you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

At the hospital where I work, nothing would happen. The only Pyxis returns that receive scrutiny are controlled substances and narcotics. Our pharmacy department doesn't give a rat's behind about Colace, Clonidine, Captopril or other non-controlled substances that nurses forget to return.

However, the patient will be incorrectly charged for a blood pressure medication he/she apparently did not receive.

[kaylee.]

Same here, nothing happens where I work. Non-controlled drugs get lost in the shuffle easily. Just the other day I discovered a colace that a pt refused in my pocket after work...ehh, no biggie. If you are worried about it, casually ask a trustworthy coworker who has been there a while.

[blueflower33]

Thanks for replying. I am new and was feeling really sick over it. I grabbed the med but then discharge paperwork came through so I never had the chance to administer to patient.

[artisticmind]

Most, but not all, hospitals have switched over to billing medications that are scanned on the MAR (rather than when pulled from the med dispenser) because they know that stuff happens- meds are pulled like Tylenol then the patient refuses, is discharged, and the med is just tossed in a pharmacy return bin rather than returned in the pyxis.

[Roo.RN]

The main issue with discrepancies in regards to medication management systems like the Pyxis lay with controlled substances... So narcotics, benzos, etc. the other medications are the least of their concerns other than in regards to billing the patient. But even at that sometimes patients aren't even charged until the medication is scanned at some facilities. Hope that helps