I have to look at my pills and see what’s missing. Cause they don’t know. I feel bad for the nurses. But I need the correct amount and the correct kind. I have reported this and it keeps happening. I am worried when I have a bad day and can’t think straight. What they will give me who knows.
Seems there are no checks and balances done in this AL. If this person is getting incorrect meds how many others are too. And if there has been a manufacturer change, the Medtech should be well aware of that and say " thats a different color/shape because the pharmacy changed suppliers." When questioned, they don't stand there with dumb looks on their faces, THEY find out what the problem is.
My mum was in an assisted living facility and medication problems were common.
Don't feel sorry for the nurses. Keeping track of a resident's medications and dosing schedule is a massively important part of their job. When there are problems, it is their responsibility to resolve them. Let's fix this so it doesn't happen again.
1. You need to talk to someone in charge immediately. Facilities differ, but IIRC the staff should include a supervising nurse, an administrator, and an assistant admin. Ask to speak to whoever is available - if they can't help, they should direct you to the staff member who can.
*** If you are having difficulty with staff, you can call the local Ombudsman's office. They will act on your behalf.
2. You need the following information;
*what pills you have been prescribed;
*what medical conditions you are taking them for;
*the dosages of the pills (each and every pill);
*your dosing schedule - the times that you receive medications + the specific pills you are to be given.
**** The facility should have all of your medical information. You can also get this info from your Doctor's office. They would have your most recent and updated records, and they can send/fax over a copy. You should insist on a copy of your own.
3. A clock and a daily journal or notebook. Write down when staff gives you meds - check the clock - and the exact pills you are given. Or, you can ask for the date and time. Take notes every time you receive meds. You can compare this with the info you received earlier (see 2. for reference), and quickly take action if you notice discrepancies.
***Pictures of your meds can be helpful - they can be printed out from most pharmacy-related websites.
Sorry for a rather long-winded ramble. This is an issue that should be resolved, and can be. Please get back to the forum (or to me personally if you want) and let us know how things progress. Take care Deb.
Right Medication for the
Right Person in the
Right Dose by the
Right Route at the
Right Time with the
Right Documentation that this has been done.
There's another Right too but it escapes me. Must do my annual online Medications Administration training this week!
Anyway. The point is that what has been happening is absolutely unacceptable and you should be stamping and shouting that it hasn't already been corrected. Safe handling and administration of medications is a fundamental criterion (known here as a Key Line of Enquiry) in all regulators' inspection of facilities.
If your facility is regularly making a cod's of it, keep complaining and keep going higher and higher up the reporting food chain until they get their act together. Do NOT feel bad for the nurses. You will be doing *everybody* in that facility - staff as well as residents - a favour.
Is there anyone who could do that for you? That way, if they bring you the wrong pills, you have a picture to compare with what they brought, and you could show them.
Just remember, “I want to speak to your manager,” lol. Don’t worry about sounding like a ‘Karen’. Well done you for catching this problem and alerting the correct people. If it’s happening to you, it could be happening to others. You never know. It might save someone’s life.