prescriptions / putting up medications

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Leah Zykin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:42:35 GMT

Over the years the way thats worked best for us is the Vet puts up all meds, be it in consult or for repeat scripts via request forms, the nurse makes it up, initials the bottle, then takes the meds, PLUS the container it came from to the vet for them to sign. This stopped such problems as wrong strength of felimazole as you cant tell whether the tablets pink or orange from looking in the brown container. Plus, when I was a student, for some reason I ALWAYS mixed up two drugs, cant even remember what they are now, I knew what I needed but for some reason always reached for the wrong ones lol. At least by taking the origional container I could correct myself in time, or at the least the vet could give me a funny look, call me an idiot and tell me go back and do it again:)

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Chippet — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:53:00 GMT

Exactly, human error, but at least if two people are checking it, then hopefully the error is much less likely to occur. I'm gonna put this to my boss next week and fingers crossed we can give it a go. :)

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:35:07 GMT

At my last practice all repeat requests are put on the comp, and are ok'd by the vet via the comp system. Nurse then puts the drugs up, and initials, gets another member of staff to check and initial (usually another nurse, occasionally a receptionist or vet)

However, vets dispensed meds during consults with no initialling or double checks - I have no problem with this in principle - them vets are cleverer than me for the most part , but everyone makes mistakes, so I would prefer to see a system where drugs prescribed in consult were double checked and initialled too.

I have put up drugs in the past, which have been wrong and have been picked up by the fellow nurse I have asked to double check - only once or twice in 12 years, but that has been enough to convince me that double checking is a very very good idea!

We are all only human after all!

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Susan Jackson — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:31:25 GMT

At the practice I work in the repeat drug request is logged in a book and then the Vet decides on whether client can have and puts them up. If client due check up then he rings and discusses with the client.

I also think I'm lucky as my Vet doesn't just let clients have meds for months / years because the client kicks up a fuss about not repeating health checks or bloods.

Yes drugs should be initialled by two people, must admit this hardly happens as the Vet always puts up the drugs also...... well trained hey?!

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 22:29:56 GMT

according to bsava guide to medicines, any drugs precribed under the cascade must be initalled (or have the vets name on) and also have the expiry date on. i think this is now a legal requirement.

it is considered good practice to initial drugs (at my practice all meds must have the vets initials on it)

our repeats are put up and initialled by nurses then checked and initialled by vets before being ready to be handed out, believe it or not we still get the occassional error (human)

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Chippet — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:57:03 GMT

Thanks everyone, thats exactly what i wanted to hear about initialling. I suggested it months ago before we introduced the diary and it was decided that it wasn't a good idea, but at least now i can go back and say its common procedure.

It has only just started being a problem, but isn't down to one person, simply lack of concentration i think more than anything and theres never a fallback cos no one knows whose put it up...hence the inital system might work.

Anymore ideas welcome though!! Or more people who inital to prove my point to the bosses :)

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Elvira — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:28:50 GMT

Our vets do their own dispensing during consults, mainly because the dispensary is between the consult rooms and not close to reception. Repeat prescription requests are put on computer during the day and ok'd (or not) by a designated vet by 6pm. The night duty nurse puts out, labels and initials the drugs that evening and they are checked and initialled by another nurse the following morning.

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

lskm 23 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:06:39 GMT

We have to have the drugs checked by 2 members of staff and initial drug label.

Re: prescriptions / putting up medications

Sal the 1st — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:58:06 GMT

if the errors have only just started happening what has changed? ie have you changed around the stock on the shelves or something like that? Is it always the same drugs? New drugs being stocked? New member of staff? dyslexia?

The system I have worked in the past is where there are two reception staff and one will dispense and order stock accordingly as used whilst the other deals front of house. The dispensing person puts up meds and initials and then it is picked up by second person who will also check prior to handing to client and also initial. Now you may get busy times when both people need to be front of house but as long as people are flexible or prepared to be flexible I havnt encountered a problem with this. Have also worked this system with one receptionist and 1 nurse where receptionist fills the scripts and initials and nurse dispenses and initials in between nurse appts - ok client may have to wait a little longer to get meds but they have been checked by two people and they have already had the time to pay at the desk before receiving meds so less chance of a not paid walk out. (added bonus if you have merchandise for sale in the waiting room they have the opportunity to have a look around - which can result in another sale)