When do I initial the M.A.R.?

[neophyte]

OK, I thought I had this one down, but maybe not...

When taking meds out of my med cart (at a nursing home), do I sign out meds when I pull them out, or after I actually give them...

I always thought you were suppossed to wait until the patient took them before signing them out...

Many thanks all,

Neo.

[chloecatrn]

So you are telling me that when someone is watching you pass meds you don't change a thing from when you are doing it on your own?

Nope. With bar codes and scanners, you don't have that luxury. It sucks.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

To be honest... I put my initials as soon as I pop them out of the med card. If something happens like patient refuses or becomes combative I can easily go back and circle my initials ( which means I have to document) and say meds not given for whatever reason. SO it may not be the right way but I do this.

[asoonernurse]

Hi Neophyte.

Pull.

Punch.

Sign.

That's the way I was taught, and it's worked well for me. Either way, whether you sign after punching the med, or sign after administration, if the pt. refuses, you STILL have to sign and document!

Regards,

Michael

OK, I thought I had this one down, but maybe not...

When taking meds out of my med cart (at a nursing home), do I sign out meds when I pull them out, or after I actually give them...

I always thought you were supposed to wait until the patient took them before signing them out...

Many thanks all,

Neo.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

Nope. With bar codes and scanners, you don't have that luxury. It sucks.

Well in LTC we don't have bar codes and scanners.

[anticoagulationurse]

I had a neat method I used when pulling meds, and it has a built in double check system. When going through the MAR and pulling the meds I would put only my first initial on each med. When, popping the med into the cup I would put my second initial. Then go into the pt room and administer the med. Our facility policy was to CIRCLE your signed initials if the meds were refused or not given and put a dated explanation on the back of the MAR. This is why it was not a problem when initials were signed in advance of giving the med.

[caliotter3]

I had a neat method I used when pulling meds, and it has a built in double check system. When going through the MAR and pulling the meds I would put only my first initial on each med. When, popping the med into the cup I would put my second initial. Then go into the pt room and administer the med. Our facility policy was to CIRCLE your signed initials if the meds were refused or not given and put a dated explanation on the back of the MAR. This is why it was not a problem when initials were signed in advance of giving the med.

This is a neat way to do it, especially if you don't take the cart and book from room to room.

[anticoagulationurse]

Exactly! Worked GREAT!

[jlcole45]

After the patient takes the meds.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

Well in LTC we don't have bar codes and scanners.

Generalization---where I work we do have electronic charting.