Medication Administration

[Nurse2849]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
In an assisted living facility, many times the doctor changes the dosage of a script, but we continue to refill from the old bottle, is it necessary for the label dosage and the MAR dosage to match? I think it is for the 5 rights and 3 checks reason; my supervisor says it's not importantl

 

[ENASNI]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
In an assisted living facility, many times the doctor changes the dosage of a script, but we continue to refill from the old bottle, is it necessary for the label dosage and the MAR dosage to match? I think it is for the 5 rights and 3 checks reason; my supervisor says it's not importantl

Sorry Nurse, but when did this become a medical forum? Please do not encourage that.

 

[rachel4]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
In an assisted living facility, many times the doctor changes the dosage of a script, but we continue to refill from the old bottle, is it necessary for the label dosage and the MAR dosage to match? I think it is for the 5 rights and 3 checks reason; my supervisor says it's not importantl[/QUOTE
It's YOUR license, Nurse (you know better...

 

[rachel4]

Sorry Nurse, but when did this become a medical forum? Please do not encourage that.

What's the difference between this type of question and the med/mal forums?

 

[ellencee]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
In an assisted living facility, many times the doctor changes the dosage of a script, but we continue to refill from the old bottle, is it necessary for the label dosage and the MAR dosage to match? I think it is for the 5 rights and 3 checks reason; my supervisor says it's not importantl

This is definitely a legal question and one best asked of your state's board of nursing; however, I know the answer. The label must be rewritten to match the order and an RN is not authorized to do so.

The physician may order/approve the first X number of doses to be given from the existing bottle of meds; the pharmacy may also give permission. (This is the same procedure as "first dose verification".)

If the pharmacy requires that the unused portion be removed from active medications and a new bottle of medication be placed in the active medications, then you must do so.

Not insuring that the medication and its label match the order and the MAR is a violation of the standards of care.

Your supervisor needs to spend some time talking with your state's board of nursing.

You are a wise and ethical nurse. I salute you!

Best wishes,
EC

 

[ENASNI]

This is definitely
a legal question

How so... 'splain...

you of the wise and barbed tongue tell me, why is this on a legal board?

and be nice.

 

[jypsy_rose_lee]

You are the one being rude,what is the big deal! It;s a medical topic.OP wants to do her job right so she doesn't become a target for medical mal some day,and to make sure she is doing right by her patients.

 

[ellencee]

How so... 'splain...

you of the wise and barbed tongue tell me, why is this on a legal board?

and be nice.

I don't believe you will find any reponse not in total agreement with you to be "nice".

The Nurse Practice Act of each state is part of the state's Code of Laws just the same as is any other law of the state. Thus, any question about what a nurse can or cannot do is a legal question.

The acts of the supervisor in this scenario are outside of the scope of practice of an RN and as such fall into the category of medical malpractice. (The supervisor in this scenario is dispensing medications without being a licensed pharmacist.)

EC

 

[Nurse2849]

re:med administration

Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. I have contacted my state nursing board, however, they are not too speedy with an answer.