Running out of LTC over the counter meds

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It is reported to central supply that we need Tylenol,Acidophilis, DSS, ASA, Multi-vits etc etc etc. However, despite it being reported there is none here. So what do you do? I was told that we are not suppose to write N/A on the MAR because "it makes the LTC facility look bad." We go to other units and see if they have any and if they give us some then they end up short too for helping us.

Do you go out and buy your own supply so you can be covered for your med pass? What to do? We have patients who are on Tylenol 325mg 2 tabs. They have no Tylenol 325mg here but they have plenty of Tylenol 500mg? If you give 1 Tylenol 500mg it is less than the 650mg that is ordered. If you give 2 Tyl 500mg then you give over 650mg? The DON is aware of this situation and still it continues.

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

Order the medications from your pharmacy. Cover yourself. You cannot administer medications that you do not have. But, instead of not giving the medications at all you can try this...

Contact the prescribing physician (or whoever is on call) and alert him of the situation. "I'm sorry to bother you but I find myself in a situation that I msut review with you. We have on hand 500mg tablets of Tylenol. Our order currently reads 2 tabs of 325mg. Will you provide me with an alternative order?"

At least this way, you have notified the physician that you need a new order, you have administered your medications as ordered, and both you and the facility are covered as far as your 5 "Rights" of medication administration goes.

Good luck. And remember, DON's are very busy doing things floor nurses are not even aware that need doing. Be as patient and understanding as you can. Don't make a situation that is easily corrected into a larger one.

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You need to order the medications from your pharmacy. If the supplies aren't being ordered due to budget constraints, the facility still has to provide the prescribed medications. When the pharmacy bill comes, it will be up to the Administrator and DON to decide if they want to pay the extra cost on the pharmacy bill or allow the items to be ordered thru a medical supply company, which is much cheaper in the long run. It then puts the onus on the people who are responsible for assuring that the needed supplies are there to care for the residents. In the meantime, order from the pharmacy anything you need.

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You should never, ever, "buy your own supply" of OTC meds to administer if the facility runs out. I'm pretty sure that's all kinds of illegal. And if there's no more baby aspirins (or whatever) in the building, by all means, circle your initials. If you're ever called out on initialing a med is given when its proven there wasn't any *to* give, your facility will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat.

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Order the medications from your pharmacy. Cover yourself. You cannot administer medications that you do not have. But, instead of not giving the medications at all you can try this...

Contact the prescribing physician (or whoever is on call) and alert him of the situation. "I'm sorry to bother you but I find myself in a situation that I msut review with you. We have on hand 500mg tablets of Tylenol. Our order currently reads 2 tabs of 325mg. Will you provide me with an alternative order?"

At least this way, you have notified the physician that you need a new order, you have administered your medications as ordered, and both you and the facility are covered as far as your 5 "Rights" of medication administration goes.

Good luck. And remember, DON's are very busy doing things floor nurses are not even aware that need doing. Be as patient and understanding as you can. Don't make a situation that is easily corrected into a larger one.

I would do exactly this and then find out why? Are you letting the supply clerk know that the supplies are low before they run out and there is enough time to reorder? I think we only get delivery 2 times a month for OTCs.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

This happens often. Even after telling supply clerk, leaving reminders, informing unit manager and even DON.

Only legit conclusion is that these folks really don't care... because they allow the situation to go on.

Solution: Leave and safeguard your license.

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Do not walk away. Run, run, Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I work PRN at a NH and we have run out of Tylenol and stool softner before, because they don't want to order too much or have too much on hand (budget you know). But our DON will go out to a store and buy us some to get buy. We have one pharmacy in town, and they aren't going to open up or deliver after hours for tylenol!

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Everyone on this forum is right we should call the pharmacy. when this happened to me the pharmacy said OTC meds were the responsibility of the NH. We were told in a meeting that when the patient doesn't have a med we are to call the doctor and get an alternative medication order. In my case, it was a 6am. med that about 25 patients were all on. So I guess I was suppose to do this plus the morning report, 60 chart checks, incident reports if any, and anything else thrown my way while the NH complains that we (nurses ride the clock) You THink?

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