RE: medication blanks

[Brenda Chance]

First of all, nursing shortage or not, nurses need to be accountable for signing off their medications.  This is a standard that is taught in nursing school and, if they were to ever go on a witness stand or do a disposition, then they would think again about leaving a blank.  Sure, we are all human and leave one every now and then, but, if I worked the floor, that is the last thing I do at the end of my shift, is check my mar’s and tar’s for blanks.  Here are a lot of corrective actions out there.  One is to audit mar’s and tar’s every day until the situation becomes under control and HOLD EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE.  If they find out you are looking, they will make more of an effort to do what they should.  Follow your own facility policy for disciplinary action regarding this occurrence.  It in a court of law, it would be negligence by omission.  Our nurse consultant has a law degree and is going to hold a mock trial for us.  We are going to use some medication and treatment blanks for some of the trial.  I think they will think again before they will leave blanks after they have sat through this.    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: John and Michelle Tracy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 7:05 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: medication blanks   We are having a huge problem at our facility dealing with having the nurses be compliant with signing out all medications at the end of their shift.  We are trying to try some new things that will enforce compliance.  I have several questions for the group.  First, does anyone have any ideas about how to Handle this.  Second, What works in your facilities to enforce compliance with signing out meds?  Third, what disciplinary action do you take for repeat offenders?  remember, we have a staffing crisis and unfortunately we need these nurses.  Thanks in advance.   Michelle Tracy, RN, MA NUM Transitional Living Center Batavia, NY