When wasting narcotics...

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Specializes in Oncology.

Do you always watch to make sure they're actually, uhm, wasted?

I find people never do.

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Specializes in ER, Peds ER.

I have always made sure to truly waste any narcs that need to be wasted. There's simply too much liability with narcs and I've dealt with too many seekers and addicts who would go through extremes to get them.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Yes, I do.

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Most definitely. It covers you as well!!!

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Well not just to actually waste them, but to make sure and give the witnessing nurse the opportunity to watch me waste them. We are comfortable with each other in my unit, but still careful. Having seen a diverting nurse come and go this year, it did serve as a good reminder not to get lazy, hurried or sloppy with it.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Well not just to actually waste them, but to make sure and give the witnessing nurse the opportunity to watch me waste them. We are comfortable with each other in my unit, but still careful. Having seen a diverting nurse come and go this year, it did serve as a good reminder not to get lazy, hurried or sloppy with it.

That's actually what I meant. The original question was referring to if you're witnessing do you watch the nurse shoot the drug down the drain or whatever you do?

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depends on the nurse. The one regular nurse i work with, i could really care less bout watchin em, worked together long enuf that i trust em. Some of the other nurses, absolutely.

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Specializes in Government.

I've worked with multiple diverting RNs and the reason they got by as long as they did was sloppy waste procedures. I won't sign off on it unless I witnessed it, I don't care who you are.

Always remember it is usually the patient who suffers.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Yes, I watch the medicine get wasted. Being in the same room and them standing at the sink or sharps box does not count.

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I always watch. My hospital has a pyxis, so you have to be in the med room

to type in your ID number to witness. The sink and sharps box is right there.

It only takes a second and can save you trouble later on.

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i am by the book when it comes to witnessing and wasting.

even if a nurse waves me off, letting me waste by myself, i insist on being witnessed.

always, ALWAYS.

leslie

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I also witness.

Although, how do I really know what they are squirting into the sink is really the narcotic?

I don't. That is where the trust comes in.

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