Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Dove — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:36:30 GMT

Thanks for the replies, the boss has decided to introduce a 48 hr request if tablets want splitting rather than charge for it.

If we do split them we'll write 'already halved' etc on the label so there is no confusion on the label. Although the way our label printer sets things out '3/4' (three quarters) has been mistaken for 3 or 4 tablets by owners, so we put three quarters in writing on the label too now.

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Anna Rayne — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:36:41 GMT

We used to just do it, but introduced a £7.50 charge I think about a year ago as it takes so long and we were getting so many requests it was getting a bit ridiculous.

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

StMongo — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:55:22 GMT

we just do it. if the instructions say to give a half or a quarter, the pills get sent home already halved or quartered. if we don't do it, people will give a full pill...or two or three.

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

meep_ kitten — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:09:14 GMT

If the person is elderly or sight/mobility impaired, it should be courtesy to provide this as a service. The only concern I would have would be the clarity on the label instructions - ie if it says 1/2 or 1/4 tablet daily, but the tablet has already been halved or quartered (by a kind nurse!) this might cause confusion if it is an elderly owner or otherwise

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Steph Worsley — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:01:37 GMT

we do it quite a bit and we also have a charge on the system for it especially for 1/8ths of tablets etc

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Julie-Anne Wilson — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:01:07 GMT

I only tend to do that for the older clients or ones with sight problems etc. The rest of the time I just tell people they can get pill splitters for a couple of quid at the chemist.

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Alia — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:59:45 GMT

My practice will only do so for elderly/infirm clients, everyone else is advised to purchase a pill cutter. This is sold half price to clients whose pets need 1/8ths and other tiny doses etc as it is time consuming for staff.

Re: Splitting tablets at the request of owners?

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:39:50 GMT

Generally my old practice charged a fee if it was a particularly large number of pills, as it did involve staff time. Charge was occasionally waived, if someone was exceptionally broke or nice.