- ALWAYS refer to the MAR
- DOUBLE CHECK your pour
- ORGANIZE your med tray (Don’t forget the OTCs, like eye drops and Purelax!)
- ASK QUESTIONS
1. ALWAYS use the MAR (Medication Administration Record) to refer to as you pour medications for each resident. Check each medication dose as entered on the MAR sheet. ***This is where we update a resident’s medications when there are medication changes made by their physicians. Failing to use the MAR when pouring medications can cause an error in your pour. If there is a change in the medication you will see a note that is dated and initialed and is usually highlighted in yellow.
2. DOUBLE CHECK your pour before passing by reviewing the MAR to ensure correct doses. Pay attention to the number of tablets or capsules, for example HALF 1/2 tab, or 1 1/2 tabs, or 2 tabs or 3 tabs etc. Pay attention to the liquid doses: What is the mg:ml ratio? How many mls are ordered for a liquid medication? Use the correct measuring device such as an oral syringe with clearly marked ml (milliliters). Or for powdered medications such as Purelax (Miralax, polyethylene glycol) make sure you are measuring correctly according to the bottle’s instructions and the correct line on the lid used to measure.
3. ORGANIZE your tray with the medication cup, water glass, spoon, apple sauce if needed, pill crusher or cutter if needed, and any over the counter (OTC) medications like Purelax, eye drops, topical creams/gels, topical patches, etc.
4. ASK a question if you are not sure about a new or changed medication dose. Ask me, Berkley or another Lead Medication Technician whenever you have a question about medication. We can also call our pharmacist for more information whenever needed. When you see a medication information sheet left out for staff to read, make sure you read the sheets because they contain important information about serious side effects and about how the medication works.