nurses and prescriptions

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Amy Rossington — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:17:49 GMT

We can do repeat prescriptions as long as it is within the 6months and the vet has wrote in the clinical notes that this is ok for a repeat. Otherwise has to be checked with the vet.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

suz85 — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:34:50 GMT

The vets at our practice write at the bottom of their notes whether the animal can have repeat and when they want them back (standard is 3months, but depending on case can be week, fortnight etc) As long as animal has been seen within that time period and the owner is happy with them, then the nurses can make up and dispense the meds. Vets are quite well trained at writing their notes!

Re: nurses and prescriptions

ginny — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:57:08 GMT

Where I work if a vet decides a patient is to have long term meds then they issue the client with a repeat prescription card - this states the drug, dose and when the patient needs seeing again. The client is always asked if they have a card when they ring to order their meds.

We put the repeat meds on the computer and put the name of the vet that originally authorised it by our log in - we were told by RCVS that we needed to get all meds authorised by the vet as well. Before dispensing they are checked off by a vet or VN that they are correct. We write the date and what they have had on the card. If they don't arrive with the card they don't get the meds. Our clients are now quite well trained!!

I seem to recall that for RCVS PSS inspection you need to have a clear written policy on repeat prescriptions.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Rachel Phoenix — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:19:25 GMT

When our practice was inspected by RCVS we were told all POMs had to auth by a vet even if it was repeat meds and said in the notes they were allowed x number of repeats. We also have to get them signed off after dispensing them.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:14:22 GMT

We have to have all drugs (I mean ALL) signed off by a vet before being given to the client.

We have a repeat prescription on the computer system but vet rarely uses it. We have to put the request on a sheet and then the vet does them all and before we hand to client, we have to have it signed off by them.

As I'm not a SQP, I can't dispense medications such as Drontal either without the vet signing it off. It sucks. I believe as RVN's, we should have the SQP automatically. But we don't.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Rachel Jayne — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:03:32 GMT

This is the same procedure that I worked with at the PDSA where I locum'd for 6 months.

The vet is still the one doing the prescribing, as long as they have put something along the lines of "rpt x 3" in their notes.

Consider written prescriptions... the vet only writes one, but sometimes it can be used three times....

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Rachel Jayne — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:00:18 GMT

The policy has recently changed where I work....more towards RVNs, well, me!

All requests for rpt medications get put as an appointment on that day's diary, it was then a vet's job to see any 'waiting' on the list & put them up (on the records)

Now... I've been given the responsibility for the repeat prescriptions, so the vets leave them on the list for me (except for days when I'm not in)

Our procedure is; when it is decided that an animal is going on long-term medication (or LTM as we shorten it to) the vet writes in the notes - highlighted in red, how many month's worth of repeats the animal can have & when they'd next like to see it/bloods are due.

So I only dispense if the request from the client meets the above criteria.

If I can't dispense a repeat for any reason, I write on the notes why I haven't done it, then either ring/text the owner to explain also.

This system has been in place for nearly a month so far & I've not heard any complaints yet..!

Re: nurses and prescriptions

vickylianne — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:15:57 GMT

Should always be a vet that prescribes meds unless their is a SQP who can also prescribe certain meds.

We request 24hrs notice from clients and take prescription orders down on a pad checking all drug and dosing directions with the clients first, then the vet checks through them and dispences them.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

caz vn1 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:32:41 GMT

ok great thanks everyone x

Re: nurses and prescriptions

S-J — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:25:25 GMT

our practice policy is that the vet will specify the exact date and the medication that a prescription is valid for, then a rvn will check and sign them off when they are requested. we always check the meds and makes sure that they arent ordering them to often and that the dosage hasnt changed etc. we will then say yes or no and book them in for a recheck with the vet. obviously anything that isnt absolutly 100% clear gets checked with the vet first.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Sal the 1st — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:52:56 GMT

[quote user="bayswater vets"]

One of my locums was at another clinic the other day and a client called wanting a repeat prescription POM drug. it was well within the 6mth recheck time with vet for ongoing meds.

She okayed it with client but was then told off by another nurse saying should have been authorised by vet.\

Does anybody know what the rules on this are? do all meds need to be okayed by vet irrespective of time etc?

Thanks

Caz x

[/quote]

what was the actual practice policy on this?

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Katy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:40:34 GMT

What sort of meds are we talkiing about?

I am a pharmacy technician at a university hospital (people not animal - lol), and repeats can only be done if the consultant has specified that is acceptable.

The practice I used to work at, we had to ok it with the vet first before we issued the repeat.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Vicky RVN — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:54:31 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]As far as I am concerned a vet must Ok all repeat meds[/quote]

I agree, it's not something a nurse should be doing.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Steph Worsley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:35:44 GMT

As far as I am concerned a vet must Ok all repeat meds, at one practice we had a sheet which we filled in and the vet would sign next to it when they ok'd the repeat then the nurses would put them onto the system

Where I am now I just speak to one of my vets especially for my regular patients and put a note on the system to say who I spoke to and what they agreed (dose increase/decrease quantity etc)

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Tracy Windler RVN — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:33:58 GMT

I have no problem doing repeat prescriptions if the animal has been seen by a vet in the last 6 months, its straight-forward dosing etc. I would prefer that the vet makes a note that repeats are ok for X number of months. If not, I will usually put it up, then get the vet to check it before dispensing.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

Gemma Burden RVN — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:21:44 GMT

At my practice only the vets do the repeat prescriptions, with the exception of non POM-V products.

Re: nurses and prescriptions

roughcut — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:15:51 GMT

At my practice the nurses do the repeat prescriptions and ask the client to come in every 3 to 4 months for a re-check, the clinical director is a vet and this was his choice.

Ruth