5 second rule

[mauimama]

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??

[missjennmb]

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...

are patients charged for two meds if the nurse drops it? Who incurs the cost of additional medications?

If the patient was charged, and I was the patient, and in my own home, I would want to take it, but thats just me and my comfort level. (and my frugality)

Hospitals, nursing homes, rehab... no. yuck. I'm much more comfortable with my own germs than maybe I should be, but the amount of stuff that comes through a medical facility... I'm nervous about eating in the cafeteria, let alone eating off the floor.

[rn_nxt_dr]

I believe wherever it falls, it is a contaminated medication. If a standard approach is advocated and believe just because it looks clean, dry and not soiled doesn't mean it is germ free.

In that way, when you are training someone else about this---there should not be a 5 second rule at all. And the precaution is reinforced and passed on as things are delegated.