Prescriptions

Re: Prescriptions

Maisy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:01:55 GMT

From what the original post stated though I don't think the prescriptions were being checked either way. My last practice's policy was that the meds were to be initialed by whoever made them up (usually a SVN because there were more of them than QVNs) and then a VN would double check. Not as a power trip to the qualified but because this procedure worked well for the practice. Making up prescriptions should be a nursing duty and measures like initialing labels/double checking the px should reduce any mistakes.

Re: Prescriptions

Sally Seddon — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:18:05 GMT

I think some receptionists know more than you think, i know our receptionist would easily pick up a mistake a vet could of made with dosage. If a receptionist doesnt feel comfortable dispensing meds then thats fair enough but as long as drugs are being checked by a qualified member of staff then whats the issue with a receptionist prepairing them meds? If all qualified staff members are as efficient and clued up as they should be then any mistakes would be spotted before the meds are given out

Re: Prescriptions

Vicky RVN — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:27:09 GMT

[quote user="sal the 1st"]

I have heard of norocarp and noroclav being mistaken before - a second person to check may have prevented this. It isnt just a veterinary problem tho I collected a prescription for betahistine which was twice the strength I normally had. took me a few days to realise and by that time I was feeling pretty ill

[/quote]

My mum was dispensed totally the wrong drug once...when she told the docs he wasn't surprised when he heard what chemist it was from!!! Needless to say, she uses a different chemist now!

Re: Prescriptions

Heidi O'Toole — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:10:23 GMT

[quote user="Nick Shackleton"]

Maybe a qualification simular to this could be developed for those interested in pharmacy....

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nvq/pharm/Pages/default.aspx

I kno that the BVNA did a qualification and withdrew it several years ago......

[/quote]

defo a brilliant idea! - and nick - can i just say - you have the best links ever - dont know how many times ive been on here and seen your links - right to what your looking for! i cant find anything i want online!! :P

Re: Prescriptions

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:03:56 GMT

Maybe a qualification simular to this could be developed for those interested in pharmacy....

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nvq/pharm/Pages/default.aspx

I kno that the BVNA did a qualification and withdrew it several years ago......

Re: Prescriptions

Heidi O'Toole — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:56:33 GMT

This is just a theory and im not directing it in any way or anyone or anything that has been said - or what i have said on this thread-(its hard to come across as you want on a forum) but- if we as nurses, qvn's and svn's had as part of our qualification that if we had sole responisbility, along with vets to dispense the drugs, dont you think we could be valued more as a profession?They would have to employ more of us to do these jobs that are 'taken away' by 'people with common sense'/ trusted, knowledgable people. Its not meant as any disrespect to anyone in the profession,because i was there as well.. but just an idea?

Re: Prescriptions

loobylou — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:10:21 GMT

Our vets will authorise and charge out any repeat prescriptions. The meds are then prepared by either the receptionist or a nurse but double checked by a nurse or the vet. Everything goes out with two initials on the packaging.
I must admit our receptionists are very good and have all worked here for many years so do have a good knowledge of drugs and strengths. I have worked at a place where the receptionist thought she was better qualified to dispense as she had worked there a long time but messed up.
As long as your receptionists are sensible I dont see why they cant check meds.

Re: Prescriptions

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:00:48 GMT

As a 12 yrs exp, but not QVN, I made a monumental FU on dispensing recently - no harm came of it thankfully, but I now initial everything I dispense, and get another member of staff to do the same - if I can I get them to check the comp as well as the label! And with LA drugs - the BATCH NUMBER!

BN's are a big deal with LA drugs - I did a fail :(

BUT - I learned from it! :)

I think double checking is a great idea! Its whats they do in human meds, and my FU would *hopefully* have been noticed if that protocal had been in place!

Re: Prescriptions

Louise B — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:33:18 GMT

[quote user="Vicky SVN"]

[quote user="icklesal"]

Erm i think you will find that QVNs make mistakes when dispensing too, i know i quite often find mistakes made by our QVNs!!!

I suppose unqualifed people are unable to read drug labels and put the right drugs in the box/bottle. God forbid someone be human and make a mistake, yes very big mistake to make but anyone can do it

We have ALL our prescriptions checked twice and a receptionist sometimes is the second person checking it. The vet also checks our prescritions before they go out.

[/quote]

I agree, a QVN is as able to make a mistake as anyone else!!!

[/quote]

Agreed

Re: Prescriptions

Heidi O'Toole — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:17:20 GMT

yeah its defo unfair to expect her to do something she is not comfortable with! as i said earlier its not in a receptionists job responsibilty is it!? - I think in some practices its just easier to let the receptionist do it as they would have to employ a SQP or add another VN to the team...dont ya think?

Re: Prescriptions

Kay Eminson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:03:54 GMT

I agree that even QVNs make mistakes we are only human and because of mistakes we double check ours in practive but never by a receptionist, our receptionists all agree that that is not their area of work and would not feel comfortable, but that their is preference.

Thanks for your responses I can pass them onto my friend to assure her a little

Re: Prescriptions

Kim Buckley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:21:38 GMT

I have nothing against drugs being double checked but our receptionists have very little to do with drugs and so how are they to know what's normal. Checks are for more than just checking the label to the medication. Vets sometimes will put the wrong strength up or the wrong directions and if you aren't familiar with what is "normal" then how are you to know. This is why I feel the job should be left to vets, qvn's and svn's.

You have to bare in mind that I work in a hospital where we have no consults and so all drugs dispensed are for inpatients or animals going home post hospitalisation.

Re: Prescriptions

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:21:00 GMT

[quote user="Ding"] I think only QVN's and Vets should be able to perpare medications[/quote]

Kay88 asked about legislation - I simply answered her question. If it was law that only qualified staff should prepare meds, then that would be more than exists in a pharmacy!

Re: Prescriptions

Sal the 1st — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:17:00 GMT

Re: Prescriptions

Vicky RVN — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:13:52 GMT

[quote user="icklesal"]

Erm i think you will find that QVNs make mistakes when dispensing too, i know i quite often find mistakes made by our QVNs!!!

I suppose unqualifed people are unable to read drug labels and put the right drugs in the box/bottle. God forbid someone be human and make a mistake, yes very big mistake to make but anyone can do it

We have ALL our prescriptions checked twice and a receptionist sometimes is the second person checking it. The vet also checks our prescritions before they go out.

[/quote]

I agree, a QVN is as able to make a mistake as anyone else!!!

Re: Prescriptions

Mrs Dot Dot — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:13:24 GMT

Our vets generally do the repeats but nurses and vets put up the meds but we've fairly recently brought in that someone else (VS or QVN) double checks and initials the label as a back up...... I've been qualified a long time but am very happy for someone else to double check my dispensing, as a back up.... I think it is good practice from a safety point of view

Re: Prescriptions

Vicky RVN — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:12:53 GMT

All our presc are second checked by another nurse. SVNs do dispense, but ALWAYS checked to prevent mistakes.

Re: Prescriptions

Sally Seddon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:12:18 GMT

Erm i think you will find that QVNs make mistakes when dispensing too, i know i quite often find mistakes made by our QVNs!!!

I suppose unqualifed people are unable to read drug labels and put the right drugs in the box/bottle. God forbid someone be human and make a mistake, yes very big mistake to make but anyone can do it

We have ALL our prescriptions checked twice and a receptionist sometimes is the second person checking it. The vet also checks our prescritions before they go out.

Re: Prescriptions

Kim Buckley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:32 GMT

We had a svn give out the wrong drugs to a client who then made a complaint and it's now been made that everyone has to have a second person look over what they are giving out. This would be fine but the second person to check is the receptionist!! No offence to them but they haven't had any training at all. I feel that as a QVN I am quite capable of dispensing medication as I am always very careful and double check.

Re: Prescriptions

Heidi O'Toole — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:00:59 GMT

This is an area where i feel strongly about. I think only QVN's and Vets should be able to perpare medications, its a very important area and is overlooked so much!

I have heard of receptionists dispensing incorrect medications to clients in the past. It shouldnt be part of thier job responsibility. They have no suitable qualifications. Its bad practice.

Re: Prescriptions

Kay Eminson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:39:21 GMT

That's what I was thinking!

Thanks

Re: Prescriptions

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:36:46 GMT

As long as the VS authorises (prescribes) the medication - either before or after dispensing but before it is given to the client - then as far as I am aware, anyone can actually prepare it.