When you arrive at your shift, make sure you know your assignment and can log into the facility's system before taking report and keys. Also, be sure to ask for a resident census list to see what patients need crushed medications, g-tubes, etc.
Remember the Five Rights
To ensure accuracy when administering medication, confirm that you're working with the:
Right Patient
Right Drug
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time
You Should Always...
Repeat medication orders back to the physician.
Check the expiration labels on medication.
Lock the medication cart when left unattended.
Look up a medication if you're unsure of what it is.
Monitor residents for medication effectiveness and adverse reactions.
You Should Never...
Rush the medication administration process.
Borrow medications from another resident.
Carry medications in your uniform pocket.
Leave the medication cart unlocked when unattended.
Sign off on medication administration if you haven't dispensed it yet.
Unsure of a resident's identity?
Ask a facility worker and look at the resident's photo in the Medical Administration Record (MAR). Still unsure? Ask the resident to tell you their name. Do not ask if their name is "John Smith" because they could incorrectly say "yes."
Did you know?
In long-term care facilities, you can dispense medication one hour before or one hour after a resident is scheduled to receive medication.
