i work in a facility where the nurses (myself and 3 others) only work from 07-2000 seven days a week. we administer meds as directed by the provider(s). we also handle narcotics.
i was taught that you do not sign out for meds that you did not administer yourself. as a courtesy, we pre-set the morning meds for the on coming nurse (who may or may not be yourself returning the next day). this practice was started here many years ago and generally works.
i had major issues with giving meds i did not set up myself, but i take the responsibility to know the meds and check them against cards that sit with each cup (with the name of the client, med, dose etc.). yes, i have caught errors many times! not the perfect system......
here's my question. when i set up the meds for another nurse to give, should i sign out their meds? especially the narcotics!
yes, our state bon is aware of our backwards system.......
"As a courtesy, we pre-set the morning meds for the on coming nurse..."
I have never heard of such a system...
I've seen it done at some group homes and day care for the disabled. I would have no issue having the meds already in a cup IF I could ID them (i.e. still in the package). But I have seen where meds are filled in syringes for TF residents by the nurse on the prior shift. That one would be scary for me.
How do you keep track of the narcs?? It seems to me that it would be incredibly easy for someone to steal the narcs rather than administer them to the residents, and it would be YOUR initials on the MAR.
I think it's a bit like committing professional suicide. We were always told never give anything you haven't put out yourself. Can you imagine what would happen if someone had a grudge against the next nurse coming on and pulled out something wrong deliberately that might just look similiar? As for narcotics, No way. Isn't that exactly why they are to be signed for and kept in a locked cupboard?:confused:
i work in a facility where the nurses (myself and 3 others) only work from 07-2000 seven days a week. we administer meds as directed by the provider(s). we also handle narcotics.
i was taught that you do not sign out for meds that you did not administer yourself. as a courtesy, we pre-set the morning meds for the on coming nurse (who may or may not be yourself returning the next day). this practice was started here many years ago and generally works.
i had major issues with giving meds i did not set up myself, but i take the responsibility to know the meds and check them against cards that sit with each cup (with the name of the client, med, dose etc.). yes, i have caught errors many times! not the perfect system......
here's my question. when i set up the meds for another nurse to give, should i sign out their meds? especially the narcotics!
yes, our state bon is aware of our backwards system.......
thanks!!!!
p.s....is this regulated by bon or is it strictly a facilty policy issue? i'm in a sticky situation here. help!
the only way i'm giving meds is if i pulled them myself. and there is no way in hades, that i would pull meds for an oncoming nurse..most especially a narc that i sign for..
kcochrane
1,465 Posts
I've seen it done at some group homes and day care for the disabled. I would have no issue having the meds already in a cup IF I could ID them (i.e. still in the package). But I have seen where meds are filled in syringes for TF residents by the nurse on the prior shift. That one would be scary for me.