Safe Medication Passes
As a CMA, the med pass is a main component of your position, and one of the most dangerous. Studies have shown that being distracted or being expected to complete numerous rolls and tasks while doing a medication pass is when many medication administration errors occur. In this time, so many are feeling the squeeze of greater expectations and duties with less time. When this happens, quality suffers. Here are some tips to keep you and your elders safe.
1.) ALWAYS count controlled drugs with the out-going CMA or nurse. Never take the cart without someone to count with you!
2.) Get a quick but full report. Being aware of situations such as residents that might be fasting for a lab or a med needing to be held for a procedure, or new orders waiting to come in from the pharmacy will save double the time of the report as the day unfolds.
3.) Start with a clean well stocked cart. It might take a couple minutes to clean and stock your cart but it will safe time as you will not be running out of supplies such as spoons, crush pouches, new meds that were delivered, water etc...
4.) Look for all the V/S needed for particular residents due to meds they take that will need to be documented on the MAR. Make a list and go complete the needed pulse and/or blood pressure, or glucose, right away before beginning the med pass. Remember, it is not appropriate to use data such as glucose, B/P or pulse that is several hours old. Very important decisions are made on the data that you gather and document, so make certain it is accurate.
5.) Setting-up or pre-popping medications is not approved by KDADS, is dangerous and can get a big deficiency if caught by surveyors.
6.) Wash your hands and start your med pass. It is so important that you have a 'no interruption zone' when you are looking at the MAR and popping the drugs out and documenting. It needs to be understood that when you are at the cart and actively getting medications ready for a resident, that you must be left uninterrupted until you go to administer those medications, at which time you can be approached. Studies have shown being interrupted during medication preparation results in a high amount of errors. They will only need to wait one or two minutes and it will result in lower med errors.
7.) Remember, if it is not documented, it is not done. Take time to ensure that you have documented well. Never put off documenting to a later time.
8.) Better to be late and right than to complete the medication pass on time and with medication errors. Doing a correct medication pass takes time, you may not be the fastest, and those that are super fast might be cutting corners, your job is to stay focused and do a legal safe med pass. It is important to keep in mind that you are responsible for your own actions.
