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
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-----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
