What shift does the 7am med pass?

Published

I do 11-7 for the first time tomorrow, I've seen yesterday's LPN who worked 11-7 marked off the med pass for 7am for today. ex. She did 11-7 on 3/14/13 and she signed off the 7am med pass for 3/15/13. I thought the 7-3 shift did the 7am med pass? or does it depend on the facility?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It depends on the facility. At my facility, the 11-7 nurse does the 6 am meds, all the morning blood sugars & coverage if needed. Most of our morning meds are written as UR (upon rising), midnights do some of the UR meds, it just depends on the resident & the unit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i understand the 6am med pass since it's before the 7am punch out, but what about the meds that are on the MAR at exactly 7am? thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At my facility, the 7-3 does the 7 am pass. You do have that hour window before & after, so if you can do it I'm sure the next shift would appreciate it. I don't usually do the 7 am pass because inevitably something comes up that needs my attention & I don't always have time to do more than the meds & treatments that are a must do on my shift. If in doubt, you can ask one of the other nurses that work your shift what they do & why. Maybe the nurse you worked with just does it but isn't required to. How many residents do you have meds to pass to in the morning. How many are 6 am & how many are 7 am? Are you the only nurse on the midnight shift on your unit?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes i am the only nurse on the midnight shift. it's just me and 55 patients. they are mosly 7am meds and some 6am meds

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

It depends on the facility. Most meds aren't scheduled for 0700 or 0730 unless it's an antibiotic or levothyroxine. The night shift staff is responsible for the 0700-0730 meds because day shift needs to get report and they may not get into the patient's room until 0800 or later.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At my facility, 11-7 is responsible for 7am meds, while 7-3 is responsible for anything due at 7:30am. I can only think of two residents that have a medication due at 7am at my facility, though (I work 11-7), so we really don't call it a "7am med pass" as that would suggest that a whole slew of meds are due at that time... our synthroids are due at 6:30am.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"traditionally", meds are simply NOT timed for 7-3-11; for just this reason. make it 645 or 715, viola`, no questions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i have a lot of meds due at 7am tomorrow morning, im thinking of starting 7am am med pass at 330am, is that ok? i think it is because all the other shifts i give out the meds early but i just wanted to make sure. thank u guys for the replies

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you everyone and also to caliotter3 for your very informative comments! it definitely will help me out :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There shouldn't be meds scheduled for 7am.

One of the more ridiculous aspects of LTC are those facilities that have meds scheduled at 7am.... and 8am..... and 10am.

Except in very few isolated cases, there's no need for any shift to have more than two med passes. Ever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.
i have a lot of meds due at 7am tomorrow morning, im thinking of starting 7am am med pass at 330am, is that ok? i think it is because all the other shifts i give out the meds early but i just wanted to make sure. thank u guys for the replies

Synthroid should (ideally) be given in the morning at least 30 minutes before breakfast and should given at the same time each day (or as close to the same time as possible). If a resident gets their Synthroid at 0630 from one nurse and then they get it at 0330 from you, then that isn't close to the same time each day. You also have an hour window to administer meds, whether it is before or after. I would personally be upset if you woke me up at 0330 to give me my Synthroid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion