5 second rule

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Has anyone else come across a nurse who uses the 5 second rule when a med is dropped? Her comment was " they're exposed to all these germs anyway". I always hear things are different when you are an actual nurse. Is this "real world" nursing or was she just lazy??

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It depends on what surface it hits. If it hits the floor, I toss it. If it hits the bedside table or the desk and that area isn't dirty (like the pt hadn't just spilled his urinal or something right there!), I'll go ahead and give it.

No one should ever give anything that hit the floor--that's just nasty (and yes, it is lazy).

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

If a pill hits the floor, it gets tossed. If, like qj says, it falls on the bed or the bedside table or whatever, I give it if said surface wasn't soiled.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yuck, yuck, and YUCK. I don't even allow the five-second rule at home, let alone a healthcare facility. It's one thing if the pill hits the bed or lands in the patient's lap (although even that is questionable), but if it's on the floor, it's history. End of story. YECCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHH.

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The "5 Second Rule" has been debunked for years.

Just "Google" it.

Picking up a pill from the floor is simply lazy and wrong.

steph

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
Yuck, yuck, and YUCK. I don't even allow the five-second rule at home, let alone a healthcare facility. It's one thing if the pill hits the bed or lands in the patient's lap (although even that is questionable), but if it's on the floor, it's history. End of story. YECCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHH.

I agree!!! The pills don't touch my bare hands either!

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That is crazy ... I can see if the pill falls on the med cart but on the ground that is gross.. I think would I put something in my mouth if it fell on the floor... It comes down to just being lazy I think which is a poor excuse. If they are doing that can you imagine what else they are doing...

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For me, in my house? No problem. That is as far as this goes though.

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

YUCK!! I would never give a pt one that fell on the floor and if it fell onto another surface I'd have to be positive that it was clean!

I read a good book about the 5 second rule. "The Five-Second Rule and Other Myths About Germs: What Everyone Should Know About Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, and Mildew"

I read it about a year ago so I don't really remember specifics as I just kinda jumped around and didnt get too into the technical stuff I had just learned in micro. But it's a good one for a rainy day! :twocents:

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Yes, its lazy.

Having a patient drop a pill on themselves is one thing, but the floor is totally out of bounds.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

i have seen it done with home care nursing and she said she did it to save the patient's money...

something to think about...

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I worked with a nurse who dropped meds on the floor in the med room and claimed it was a "sterile environment," and still gave the meds. for me, just took micro and virology, even the flippin sheets and table could have stuff from the patients family/friends/docs coughing or sneezing. but like the real world thread I see how I do it in 2 years.

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