----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 1:27
PM
Subject: How many states allow-
medication aides?
I
have worked in a state (MN) where TMA (trained medication aids) have
passed meds since I became a nurse in 1976. I began working on LTC with TMA's
and actually as a new grad the TMA's gave me a better orientation to the
medication pass (days of the pill bottles and med cards) then the licensed
nurses did.
I must disagree
with many of the opinions expressed. The TMA's are only passing meds- they are
not interrupted by other things and as a DON/administrator I found that the
med aids made fewer med errors than the licensed nurses did. I actually have
had TMA's be the ones to figure out that medications had been switched by a
licensed nurse i.e.: Lanoxin had been substituted for Ritalin as one
example
Where I did see
problems is when the TMA was a CNA one day and a TMA the next- the residents
would ask him/her for help on days when he/she is passing meds.
I would be
interested in knowing how many states have a med aide programs. I think that
one may be surprised how many states allow medication aides.
Remember if these
aides are passing the meds- the nurses are available to do assessments,
charting, physician calls, care planning and everything else that they
complain about not having time to do- because they are too busy passing meds.
It is great to have a medication aide spend the time with a slow resident who
takes one pill at a time in a methodical order or sit with someone who can not
be left alone with a nebulizer treatment.
If trained
correctly, inserviced annually, and skill checked at least annually- med aids
can be a nurses best friend.
Theresa
Lang
Specialized
Medical Services, Inc.
Milwaukee
WI
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.N.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 C.N.A. who does not have the training a nurse has
had. If I was a C.N.A. 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 Nichols, RN, RAC-C
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:42
AM
Subject: Re: CNA's pasing 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 Lexus. 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
licence riding on the decision making of a CNA passing meds.
Gerald
Ferlick, RNAC
