Each LTC community will have policies and procedures for medication administrations. You need to know these. While most will have the same basic procedures that are in line with state regulations, some will have additional policies or procedures that you will need to know. Ask the most common questions such as; is the med cart to go room to room or do you pass meds in front of the dining room? Remember, you are not to do any treatment or procedure such as a finger stick blood sugar, or a medication patch placed in the commons areas. The resident must be taken to a private location for these. Do this even if you are told that they do not mind if you do it in the commons area, as it is the right thing to do. Also ask if there are any other P&P you need to be aware of before starting your med pass. Just 5 minutes of report and asking questions before hand will save 15 - 20 minutes on the floor, and keep you and your residents safe and in compliance.

Above all, remember the 7 rights in medications pass as listed below and regardless of how stressed you might feel, following the 7 rights and the 3 checks will keep you and the residents you administer drugs to safe.

The right person
The right drug
The right time
The right route/form
The right dose
The right technique
The right documentation

Facility Policies and Procedures