It
happens all too often. A
nurse from an
elderly facility calls a doctor in the middle of the night. Her
patient is experincing major problems gping to sleep. Getting a brief rundown of
medications already ordered he calls in one to aid in sleeping for the resident. This new order makes a total of thirteen the lady is on. Now she sleeps well but has difficulties with breathing. The solution: prescribe yet some more pills.
Is this an isolated happening? Sadly the answer is no. Way too many residents in elderly nursing facilities receive too many meds. It appears it is easier to write a prescription than physically visit the patient in question. Perhaps a middle of the
night case is one thing, but when calls are made at four or five in the afternoon, what excuse is used then?
The way to fix this problem is meet with the physician one on one and have those medications explained. A person eighty-six years old can not comprehend what may be said. A daughter or son can. Yes, there are cases where multiple medications are needed to maintain a quality of life. And yes it is better than our loved ones suffering. Yet, when is enough enough? When is too much too much?
When relatives take more interest in their family members
care less of what happens above will take place. If a nurse can call a doctor, she ought to telephone a family member as well shortly afterwards and update the patient''s care. This being done is true patient care and the patient always comes first.
More abstracts about the double checking first