Any Nurses On This Site?

[poodicat]

When we dispense medication where i work, the management say that we should crouch down to dispense them,as some of us are of a certain age we cant crouch down to see that the medication is at the right amount,they dont provide us with a unit that is self adjusting,so that we can see at eye level and adequate lighting,surely nurses dont do this when they are dispensing,i know they a movable unit,when they are doing their rounds,it really peeves me off the way we have to do this,can any nurse tell me how they dispense medication,this charity that i work for takes everything to the extreme!

[Bbbananas]

It's all down to elfin safety.

[poodicat]

Serious replies salla lol,go and get some work done!!

[ethandron]

can't you pull up a chair and sit down to do it? i think you've said that all your people are wheelchair users so if you sat down you'd be at the same level as them.
failing that, perhaps you need to have a team meeting to discuss how the dispensing of medicine can be done effectively and correctly, taking everyones problems into account.

[Bbbananas]

Sorry pooodi.
I shall butt out .............. x

[poodicat]

Temporarily i have got one of those doctors wheelie chairs and the workservice of the guys kitchen,still pushing for a proper unit to dispense though!

[boxtops]

This sounds quite unsafe poodi, both for the staff and the patients - suppose you are crouching and the patient inadvertently knocked you over, you'd have meds all over the floor. You need one of these http://www.bristolmai...echeck=yes&PT_ID=s195

[poodicat]

Hi boxtops,our guys are in wheelchairs, and usually sit around the kitchen table whilst getting meds and breakfast

[poodicat]

Looked at that site,we use blister packs and bottled medication,which they dont have a unit for

[boxtops]

Ah - I knew about the wheelchairs, didn't picture that scenario. Difficult for you, I guess they all need help to take the meds.

[ethandron]

if you have a locked cabinet in the office (assuming there is some sort of office?) can't each person come into the office for their medication, you sit down in front of them and give it to them?
failing that, if you have to go into each persons room, then you take their medication with you, sit down in front of them and give it to them.
am i right in that you have eight people to take care of?
i don't actually see what the problem is to be honest, provided that there is a locked unit somewhere on the premises to keep all the medication in and a suitable way of signing for it when you dispense it. there must already be something in place, so what exactly is your gripe - that you have to bend down? so you sit in a chair. that you have to cart a whole load of medication around with you? so do it one by one.

[ethandron]

sorry poodi, just read your other answer. if they're all sitting down at the breakfast table, then i'm really not sure what you're getting at. having worked in a special care unit i know exactly what it's like trying to dispense medication to people in wheelchairs, you sit down opposite them.

[poodicat]

Sorry,i mean when i pour medication or blister pack into a measuring cup on a level service

[bednobs]

i used to work as a nurse. I would just hold the cup up, my eyes and hands aren't so wonky that it would cause a massive dose difference

[another-view]

I would suggest looking for another job if you are unable to follow procedures for dispensing medication. I wouldn't want an overdose because you have a dodgy knee

[rowanwitch]

If you consider your knee problem constitutes a disability, and it places you at risk of being unable to maintain your current work contact your local disability employment adviser usually at local Job centre plus office),, your employer may be able to apply for funding for any necessary reasonable adaptations/aids to enable you to stay in your job up to the value of approx £20,000 this would more than cover a proper dispensing trolley lthough your employer may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost if it is not solely for your use. and any special seating to help you. The may also be able to arrange a proper ergonomic assessment of your workplace.

[poodicat]

Another view,was just trying to get some answers from people from a nursing back ground,you dont see nurses working in hospitals and in your gp surgery doing this,you would have to get rid of alot of older people working in this field wouldnt you,as we arent as nimble as we once were!!!

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with bednobs, hold the cup/container in one hand at eye level and pour in to correct dosage level. It is what we would all do at home isn't it? Or have I totally misunderstood.

Mamya

(not a nurse as such)

[poodicat]

Hi mamya,not allowed to do that,he has to be dispensed on a level surface,see my and others predicament,they expect us to crouch down and pour liquids this way,and if you are doing this several times a day it blinking painful on your back

[rowanwitch]

If the drugs concerned have to be dispensed accurately to that level they should be drawn up by syringe and then put in a medicine tot rather than poured by eye,

[poodicat]

rowanwitch their a only a couple that are done that way,they have to be exact,pointless arguing the case with the mangement they would always have a answer why would should be doing this,as said before if they provided us with a unit that we could place on the surface and adjust to eye level,also a light attached,i wouldnt have this issue