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None of our CMAs gave any
narcotics or injections.
I totally agree with what you said about abilities and
willingness to learn and not just about education level. It
sounds like you have had a better experience with med aids than I have.
Unfortunately I have seen a few things that did not turn out so well. One
was an over dose of morphine. I also agree that the same result could
have happened with a nurse too. I know of a couple of aids right now
that are not med aids at this time, but I believe if they took a
class they could probably run circles around some nurses I know. And
you're right some are unable to go to nursing school for financial reasons or
other reasons. I think it would be great if some facilities could help
with tuition expenses and help send some aids to nursing school. (I am
sure that some already do) The facility I work at now has a tuition
program but unfortunately I don't think it is enough.
I think this is a great way to see other points of view and
to open our eyes about certain situations. This has changed my
opinion about med aids. I believe as long as the facility is willing to
do the ongoing education with both med aids and nurses that med aids could be
an asset. Unfortunately the facility I used to work at did not do this
and in this case I think the Residents were put at risk.
Thanks for your response,
Debbie Nichols, RN, RAC-C
RAI Director
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 2:18
PM
Subject: RE: thank you all
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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