The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
I cannot tell you how many times we see well meaning CMAs fall into really bad habits and not even realize it. These bad habits that are picked up over time have consequences. Administration of medications can be risky and dangerous when the rules are not followed, med errors, cross contamination, are just a few. There are also dignity, confidentiality, and respect issues as well, not to mention how it reflects on your professional image.
1.) Pre-popping
2.) Not checking the MAR carefully before popping/administering medications.
3.) Using old V/S (usually B/P or pulse) before popping/administering medications.
4.) Not wearing gloves when performing finger stick blood sugar tests, or giving eye drops etc....
5.) Infection control issues such as popping medications into the CMAs hands, putting finder into a pill bottle to pull it out or putting their finger in the crush pouch to open it up, fishing an incorrect med out of a med-cup. Wearing gloves to complete a task then not removing or replacing the gloves before touching something else.
6.) Administering nasal sprays, eye drops, blood sugars etc... in the dining room or other non-private place.
