It has always been my understanding that narc counts are done by two RN's or an RN and an LVN in the hospital setting. Of course, this may be only my understanding because I've never seen it done differently.
At 0400 the charge nurse told me to help her count the Omnicell. She's been a nurse for 29 years and worked at this particular hospital for the past 17, so I assumed she was aware of policies and what-not. However, she asked me because the other nurses were busy with admits, so when one of them showed up at the desk, she told me nevermind and had one of them do it.
Does the policy on narc counts vary from facility-to-facility, or is there an organization or policy (Nurse Practice Act or state BON, for example)? If it is a facility policy, then I can find it. But I'm not comfortable counting with a nurse if there are state policies against or if it is a violation of the nurse practice act.
Well, seeing as how our CNAs don't go anywhere near the narcs, much less handle them, I can't see why they would even consider taking part in counting them.
They have no responsibility for those meds at all. Therefore, they are not responsible for counting them. They don't touch them, so they're outta the picture if there's a problem. And if I were them, I'd make sure to keep it that way.
the facility i am at requires that both nurses sign in with a password to do a narcotic count in the accudose (and same with a narc waste), and unlicensed staff are not allowed to use the accudose.
i would check facility policy. many places like hospitals get very upset at the thought of an unlicensed person handling meds, and some are much more leniant for instance a nursing home or a dr's office.
Wow...can the RN you are relieving count narcs with you?
there are times that these meds need to be given stat.
it would be more dangerous to administer an uncounted narc than to have unlicensed staff count w/you.
whether the facility authorizes this or not (which i'm sure most do not), i still would rather have another name next to mine, vs risking my signature alone.
at least an aide can be considered a witness, if push comes to shove.
and, when i had the aide count w/me, she didn't handle anything.
i showed her the packages and she confirmed the count that way.
Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
Wow...can the RN you are relieving count narcs with you?
We usually do these at night so there are no other RN's around.However the Pharmacy/doctor/Care Commission seem to be OK with this as it is a Nursing Home.
Keep in mind that whether or not it is ok, or non-skilled task, most systems (if not all) require a log-on and password. I have never known any CNA's or whatever acronym being used that has access.
If it was a hand written count and no one else is available then that facility may do it differently.
Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
NO: it's against board of pharmacy and bon rules..... period
For my own reference information, can you find this policy online for me?
I'm totally not comfortable with doing it, as I said earlier. But if need be, and it is acceptable in the eyes of both the BON and the facility, then I guess I would have to do it?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
there are times that these meds need to be given stat.
it would be more dangerous to administer an uncounted narc than to have unlicensed staff count w/you.
whether the facility authorizes this or not (which i'm sure most do not), i still would rather have another name next to mine, vs risking my signature alone.
at least an aide can be considered a witness, if push comes to shove.
and, when i had the aide count w/me, she didn't handle anything.
i showed her the packages and she confirmed the count that way.
leslie
We usually do these at night so there are no other RN's around.However the Pharmacy/doctor/Care Commission seem to be OK with this as it is a Nursing Home.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
For my own reference information, can you find this policy online for me?
I'm totally not comfortable with doing it, as I said earlier. But if need be, and it is acceptable in the eyes of both the BON and the facility, then I guess I would have to do it?
I think I would find out from the BON, who certifies you for one, and then see if documented as facility policy. I can bet it probably isn't with the facility. I am really seeing that policies are sometimes written vaguely to leave room for manipulation.
If it is that for whatever reasons, such as the examples that earle58 and nightmare stated, that no other nurse is available, it leaves nurses in a bad position at times, if the chips go down. I believe it is fairer for everyone if a policy or provisions are made. This way, it leaves no room for error.
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
Well, seeing as how our CNAs don't go anywhere near the narcs, much less handle them, I can't see why they would even consider taking part in counting them.
They have no responsibility for those meds at all. Therefore, they are not responsible for counting them. They don't touch them, so they're outta the picture if there's a problem. And if I were them, I'd make sure to keep it that way.