I would like to know if there is a state law that says it is necessary to watch a patient take their meds and confirm that they are taken or can they just leave them in the room and leave them for the patient to take later. This is for the state of Indiana.
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Smokey Snotsbear
I think the answer is yes for all states in America. There was a nurse from this area who lost her license and had to go to court for not doing this (the patient was young so she thought it was ok I guess but pt. had stroke). Anyway the pt. choked to death.
I don't think it's a law but it is Hospital Protocal in every single hospital or Clinic. Nurses or Doctor's would be fired for not watching to be sure.
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NO. In the State of Florida there is no "LAW", but it is the same old story of time. Quality care. Not observing the patient. I, as a RN, will not even allow the dispensing Nurse to OPEN the sealed warpper the medication is encased from the Pharmaceutical Company until I have read the label. This because of the use of computers. Example: The nurse puts into the conputer she is administering 30 mg. of M.S Contin ( A Narcotic). She brings you a pill, orange in color, with a number engraved on the pill surface, I KNOW that there is 1Pharameutical company that provides this strength of RX - however, the tablet is purple, and that is WATSON LA. They chart you received 30 mg., and you get 10 instead, where is the other 20 mg? Who is selling what to whom? Who is consuming the other. Not the patient. You call a CHARGE NURSE & verify, document and have an Incident Report sent to Risk Management, of any hospital that tries to pull tis caper off. Another popular "administering" of drugs - the CNA, Tech or WHOEVER is to have WATER at the bedside...there is none. How are you to take the RX? Nurses are understaffed in every hospital in the U.S., without exception. They short-cut whetever they can. Trust none of them..Be your own Healthcare Advocate-if you are not-- then you have lost control of your life!
There are many Laws on the books in every State. But, who enforces teehem? If there have been changes made in your medications, it is a matter of Responsibility of the Doctor or his repreentative to advise you the risk and benefit of what you are taking; and if this is not done, as a TEAM MEMBER in YOUR care, it is your responsibility and RIGHT to inquire.
meetze94
This is no fable. medications of all types, haert,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, PTC's c
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I doubt it is the law, but as a nurse, I always stay until the meds are swallowed. That ensures the meds aren't dropped or forgotten, that no one chokes, and, in the case of narcotics, that meds are not stashed for later use. And yes, I make sure the patients have water with which to swallow meds.
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Other people asked questions on various topics, and are still waiting for answer. Would be great if you can take a sec and answer them
