What is a SAM pack?

Why didn't you ask someone at the facility what it was? I am sure someone would've explained it to you.

I personally have no clue.

I haven't been to the facility yet, I found this info in preclinical paperwork we were required to read tonite for homework.

i was curious about this myself and did a quick web search....a uk hospital described using self-administered medication packs....maybe that's what it is????????????

I was also going to say Self Administered Medication pack. Usually this will have such things as iron supplements, stool softeners and ibuprofen, and sometimes the topicals such as tucks or dermoplast along with an instruction sheet for you to review with the patient and have them sign.

Interesting.

a sams pack is a self-administered medication pack. at my facility it contains things like tylenol, ibuprofen, colace, tucks pads, and dermoplast spray. since these are otc items, and as a whole, our patient population is accustomed to taking otcs on their own on as an as needed basis, we allow them to do the same in the hospital. they are given written and vebal parameters as to what acceptable dosage is. they are given a sheet to record what they are taking and when. the main thing the nurse has to watch out for is the amount of tylenol the patient is taking because many of the prescription pain meds we give have an acetaminophen component to them, and we want to avoid any acetaminophen toxicity. overall, it seems to work out well, and the patients like to have some independence, and not have to wait on the nurse to bring them an over-the-counter item.

Thank you all so much for the information, my entire clinical group was wondering what it was:lol2: I'm sure my clinical teacher will be talking about it tomorrow, but it was just bugging me because it was mentioned so many times on the sheet and I had no idea what it was

I LOVE the SAM packets. Why should a nurse waste her time answering a light then fetching over the counter medications and charting them ?? It takes a couple of minutes to give the packet and the instructions. The MAR the patient records on becomes part of her permanent record. It used to annoy me no end when I was busy to have to concern myself with over the counter items that the patient could have a purse full of. Now we need to stop the docs from ordering Lortab 5/500 mg. 2 tabs. q3hrs prn as that far exceeds the acetaminophen limit. I try to teach the patients but they all have the attitude of "doc knows best". I am tired of the struggle.

I dislike the idea of SAMs packs. had them one place I worked and could not always trust moms to keep them out of the reach of visiting children. I know they carry meds in their purses, same sorts----but the liability of such is quite different. We still are to keep track of SAMs use and if someone overdoses or they fall into wrong hands, the liability is great for the staff. No thanks. I will keep bringing them the Motrin/Tylenol/Stool softeners. It's not that big a burden for me.

exactly why JCAHO has had problems with them:

safety and document of pain/interventions not happening with the use of these. I see them eventually going away most places.