Typical Med Schedule for one of my patients

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 8, 2012

ridiculous. If they are not in ICU (where I would assume they need closer attention) I would talk to MD and/or pharmacy about combining some times.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

Doesn't your pharmacy have some type of "formula" timetable, something that would indicate Med X is BID, QID, daily am, daily bedtime, that sort of thing? Empty stomach meds before meals, but the rest should be grouped.

Looks like the patient you're using as an example should have meds given at probably four times throughout the day, that's it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

What's you facility's policy on time windows for med administration? I just read a great article on medscape about time windows to be considered on time for med administration and some medication safety group (the name escapes me but The Joint Commission follows their recommendations) has said that for meds spaced further apart than Q4 hours that are not otherwise time sensitive, an hour before or an hour after is an acceptable window. For daily or less frequently given meds they say two hours before or after the scheduled time is also OK.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

Here's the article. You need a free account to access but maybe worth bringing in to work. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/772501?src=top10

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 8, 2012

I could see something like that if a patient had lots of eye drops and an insulin drip.

Anne36, LPN · Jan 15, 2013

I wish someone would stop the insanity. I have had exactly one resident that has a particular and oddly unreasonable schedule similar to the one you listed with meds given all night long and she is the only one who will raise a huge ruckus , making accusations about getting wrong meds at wrong times and calling in the care manager and threatening to call the managment, etc. They need to change the schedule to avoid all of her outbursts and games, instead they cater to her so much she thinks she runs the place.

gingerpeachee · Jan 27, 2013

7:30 meds

8:00 meds

9:00 meds

all at 8am

10:00 meds

11:30 meds

12:00 meds

all at 11:00

13:00 meds

14:00 meds

15:00 meds

all at 1400

16:00 meds

16:30 meds

17:00 meds

all at 16:30

18:00 meds

19:00 meds

at 18:00

Hour before hour after thats how I operate. ICU would be a different story, but you can't be everywhere at once.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 27, 2013

7:30 meds
8:00 meds
9:00 meds
all at 8am
10:00 meds
11:30 meds
12:00 meds
all at 11:00
13:00 meds
14:00 meds
15:00 meds
all at 1400
16:00 meds
16:30 meds
17:00 meds
all at 16:30
18:00 meds
19:00 meds
at 18:00
Hour before hour after thats how I operate. ICU would be a different story, but you can't be everywhere at once.

^ That's how operate, in consideration of incompatibility of some meds. You can't be everywhere...and if possible, offer up the Medscape article if possible :)