
10-12-2015, 07:26 AM
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Eternal Member
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Village of BonnyBrook
Posts: 4,322
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Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
Please, before everyone jumps down the OPs throat, recognize how difficult these nurses' jobs are , especially a home care nurse. They are out there, often on their own, on the front line, burdened by a ton of paperwork and regulation, trying to help the patient as best they can. They don't have the authority to change anything, and often are not treated with the respect they deserve by either the patient, their family or even the physician that they are helping out. I agree that the tone of the OP sounds a bit patronizing, but that goes to choice of words and not intent; she makes some very valid points, as does the home care nurse that responded.
To the OP: I understand your frustration, but certainly the exchange you posted is nowhere near the worst you've encountered. This patient at least knew what they were taking the meds for. Remember, their list from their doctor might have read Cozaar, Zocor and Prilosec--then the pharmacist hands them losartan, simvastatin and omeprazole---it's not reasonable to expect the average patient to sort that out. How many times have you asked about meds only to be told "I take a blue pill, a pink pill and a white pill". How many times have you had to deal with a family member with a "chip" on their shoulder? The example you gave is small potatoes (Dan Quayle spelling). But I read your post as showing dedication more than anything negative
To patients: Believe it or not, what appears to be the simple bookkeeping of maintaining a medication list is one of the hardest things we do. Besides patient confusion with brand vs generic names, many are seeing several specialists who change meds without letting the primary care physician know, or they send a 5 page note with the change buried somewhere in the middle. Even with EMRs, printed lists, and asking patients to bring all their pill bottles to their visit, the accuracy of the list is often compromised. Best solution we have found so far is to have the patient ask the specialist to write the medication changes on their list, and then call our office, THAT DAY, and let us know the change. Not perfect, but helpful. Some day, 10-15 years from now, all EMRs will be linked by an interface that will auto-update med lists regardless of prescriber. I'm sure even that system will not be perfect.
To pharmacists: Several pharmacies in our area are now putting the trade name on the label such as this:
Losartan 50 mg
Take one by mouth each morning
GENERIC FOR COZAAR
I would encourage you to put pressure on your professional society and your employers to universally adopt such a label, it would be a big help.
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I think the OP was a little dramatic and the tone didn't seem very nice for a nurse. Also the " Stab me in the eye" was definitely not nice !!
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Troy, Rochester, Hazel Park, Harbor Beach, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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