What is a good dispensing procedure for medication?

Answer 1

Please ask the proper healthcare personnel for instructions.

1. Check the patient's name against the medical record.

2. Check their ID bracelet, or another form of ID such as a driver's license, insurance card, or whatever is required in your state.

3. IF the patient is aware, ask for any Allergies to food or drugs, and if they are not oriented, look at the chart thoroughly (especially if this is your first medication pass to the patient).

4. Check the name of the drug, see that it is spelled correctly, and that it has been transcribed from the doctor's order correctly. Make sure the directions for the drug are correct, such as "PO" (by mouth). Additionally, check to make sure the directions make sense.

5. Check to make sure that the other medications the patient is on, (OTC or otherwise) do not interact with the medication you are dispensing, and if so, call the doctor to check on the order.

Also, if there are any "parameters" such as taking the blood pressure of the patient before the medication is dispensed, follow them, remembering also any guidelines you have been taught or are present on the prescription such as "hold for pulse <50," in which case you would hold the drug, and call the doctor, asking for further orders.

6. Check the patient name once more, you can never be too sure! You can also ask the patient if they are oriented, if they understand what the medication is, and why they are on it.

7. Pour the medication, using gloves if you are going to be touching the medication with your hands.

8. Administer the medication, checking the patient's mouth to be sure it has been swallowed, if the medication is in PO form.

9. Monitor the patient for any adverse side effects, and report them immediately to the doctor.