Re: Antipsychotic Med Policy

[Corey Ali]

Jeez, I do seem to have a habit of starting a firestorm with a lot of my emails, don't I?    Now where in my original comment did I suggest NOT STARTING a med when the doc wrote the order.  On the other hand, when the doc wrote the order, the nurse taking it off was responsible for noting the diagnosis on  the diagnosis list.  So if there wasn't a diagnosis on the order sheet, she nailed the doc before he left, or left him a message on the pager.    Since I started out as a midnight nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, we were required to contact the doc 24 hours a day, when needed, regarding orders, especially if you couldn't read it.  I had no problem at all calling either very late or very early and reminding the poor soul that I needed a diagnosis for the med.  Never needed to call more than once either . . . .  (I wasn't really POPULAR back then, but we got diagnoses!)   Corey ----- Original Message ----- From: Holly Sox, RN, RAC-C To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 7:23 PM Subject: Re: Antipsychotic Med Policy I appreciate that it's not rocket science, or brain surgery. I understand the regulations, and although I am the person responsible for double checking the pharmacy consultant recommendations, I am not in the position to determine policy for our facility.   I just wanted to know if other facilities have a policy of not starting antipsychotic medications without the proper diagnosis.  Our MDs have a wonderful habit of writing orders without a dx, dictating progress notes and it takes a month or 2 for the progress note to make it to the chart.  By that time, the resident has been receiving the potentially inappropriate medication for a month or 2.  It does not seem like witholding the med until the physician has supplied the appropriate dx should be a problem, but, again, I am not the one who gets to decide.   Holly F. Sox, RN, RAC-C  Clinical Editor, Careplans.com www.careplans.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 6:37 PM Subject: Re: Antipsychotic Med Policy Forget asking surveyors how to comply with regulations.  In Los Angeles County our biggest problem is that they do not know the regulations.  This year's survey team 'want' it one way and next year another [or the same] team tell you it is all wrong.  Read the regulations and develop a policy that meets the needs of your residents and the facility.  It is not brain surgery. Delores Could any of you who are "lurking" surveyors (Yeah, you, MR), send me some guidance (along with links to supporting regulations, etc)?  Also, what are other facilities doing as far as P/P for antipsychotic meds? Do you really think that a surveyor is going to tell you how to fix this? It has been my experience that the surveyors don't and won't give advice of any kind. Delores L. Galias, RN, RHIT STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify D. Galias, RN, RHIT immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.  Thank you for your cooperation