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In maine we have med
techs. CNAs that take a class. But it is more than 4 hours. My
med techs were better at passing a surveyed med pass than some of the RNS.
As a matter of fact the RN helped us get 7 or 8 counts for a citation on a med
pass. When they came back to resurvey us to see if we were in compliance
it was a Med Tech that pulled it out. we got a perfect med pass. Her
Med pass on a regular day was 45 residents. We found more mistakes after
the licensed staff passed meds than when the med techs passed meds.
We attributed most of the mistakes to the licensed staff had so
many other duties and got called a way more. A med tech could only do one
thing . Pass meds. They are focused on one thing. A lot of
CNAs aren't licensed staff because they could not afford to go any farther or
some other circumstance. A lot of CNAs are just as quick to learn as a
licensed staff person. It doesn't always have to be about education levels
. It can be about abilities and willingness to learn.
Thank you all for your
opinions. Wish I could sent these letters to the state. You do know CNAs are
passing meds in ALF all the time. with only 4 hours of training. I see so
many mistakes. Its the number one tag in ALFs. I just found this out this week
here in Fl. I will keep you post of results of the Senate bill.
I totally agree. We spend 2-4 years going
to school to become a nurse and then have to take State Boards and they want
to give some of that responsibility to c.a.'s who would only have to "complete
training." How long would this training be for? What exactly would
the training consist of and how would their knowledge of what they have
or haven't learned be tested? I have not heard of this bill until now
but I absolutely do not agree with it and hope that someone comes to their
senses and realizes that we are dealing with people's lives and that
medication errors can be fatal. I know that even the best nurse can make
a mistake, but I think the chances are less with a nurse as opposed to a CNA
who does not have the training a nurse has had. If I was a CNA I
would not even want that kind of responsibility. As a nurse I definitely would
not want anyone else passing medications to any of my
Residents/Patients.
This bill just doesn't make any sense to
me.
Debbie Nicholas, RN, RACK
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:42
AM
Subject: Re: CNA's passing meds: what
do you think? New bill?
In a message dated 2/20/2004 5:57:58 PM
Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Writes:
Dar Listmates,
I was just reading some
bills that might be passed.
One is being proposed
for 2004.
SB492/HB189 "Certified Geriatric Specialists"
allowing CNA's to complete training then being able to administer
meds and treatment to residents and would also be counted as licensed
nurse for purpose of minimum nursing criteria.
Let's ask the rocket
scientists who thought up this bill if they would have an individual with a
weeks worth of training work on their BMW, Mercedes or Lexis. It is so
obviously a cost cutting ploy with no regard to the whole process of nursing
or to the well being of the patient. Would not want my license riding
on the decision making of a CNA passing meds.
Gerald Ferric,
RNA
Sincerely,
BestLittleNurse
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