If this resident does not want to self-administer and the staff is giving the meds and then leaving the room for their convenience, then no, it is not appropriate. If you give a medication, per standards we as nurses have all been taught, we stay with that resident until they consume that medication no matter how long it takes. Sounds like to me this is some nurses that just quickly want to get through. Maybe approach it this way. This has worked wonders for me. Ask them if they want to explain in a court of law why they had a resident who choked to death on his/her medications when they were supposed to be responsible for ensuring that the resident took the medications appropriately. I had one nurse that started crying stating that she had never thought that a resident could die from choking.
Brenda W. Chance, RN, RAC-C MDS Coordinator CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -----Original Message----- From: Wiedemann, Betty R [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 12:37 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: Rt. self administration of meds No I'm talking about nurses preparing and leaving the med for administration at the convienence of the rt. -----Original Message----- From: Debbie Settle [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 12:21 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Rt. self administration of meds The resident has the right to self administer meds unless they don't want to do it OR if the CAREPLAN TEAM does not believe the resident has the ability to assume the responsibility. There needs to be some type of asswessment done which address any dxs that may interfere with the ability to self administer meds (dementia, depression, psych dx, etc...) Their cognition must also be addressed, as well as the physical ability to self administer medications. If a resident is determined to actually be able to administer their own meds, they need an MD order AND to be periodicaly reviewed to ensure they remain able to do do. *****BUT BE CAUTIOUS.... I once had a very sweet little lady who was alert and oriented MOST of the time who wanted to administer her own inhalers. Her order was for "2" puffs. During the state survey the nurse handed her her inhaler, and she promptly gave herself "4" puffs. when asked by the nurse how many puffs she was supposed to have she stated correctly "TWO." Needless to say, we recieved a deficency. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Wiedemann, Betty R Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 11:42 AM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: Rt. self administration of meds Our staff is challenged with rt. that will say." Oh, just leave it I'll take it" We've all been there and tactfully respond we are not allowed to do that. So our ingenious staff felt that if they were to have the Dr write an order that the rt. could give if we prepare that that would be OK. I say Oh No. I am from the old school. the very old school that says you prepare you give. . Input please. /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
