Hey Team, Let's Talk Meds: Eight Rights to Keep Everyone Safe and Sound

Hey everyone! 👋

We all know our role as medication aides is super important. We're on the front lines, making sure our residents get the right care, and a huge part of that is safely administering medications. It's a big responsibility, and honestly, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, especially on those busy, high-stress shifts. But there's one golden rule that can save us a lot of headaches – and more importantly, keep our residents safe and sound.

We're talking about the Eight Rights of Medication Administration. You've heard them before, but let's break them down in a friendly, peer-to-peer way, with a special focus on not relying on memory and always, always double-checking our work.

Think of these "Rights" as your personal safety net. When you’re giving a med, every step is a check:

1. Right Medication: Is this the exact drug prescribed?

2. Right Dose: Is the amount correct?

3. Right Patient: Is this the person who needs this medication?

4. Right Route: How is it supposed to be given (oral, topical, etc.)?

5. Right Time: Is it time for this medication now?

6. Right Documentation: Did you record it accurately ?

7. Right to Refuse: Everyone has that right. No hiding medication.

8. Right to Know (Patient Education): Has the patient been informed about the medication and what to expect?

Now, you might be thinking, "I know these by heart!" And that's awesome. But knowing them and practicing them every single time are two different things, especially when things get hectic.

The Memory Trap: A Colleague's Story

I want to share something that happened recently with a colleague, just to underscore how easily errors can occur, even with the best intentions. It was one of those crazy days on the floor – short-staffed, multiple call lights, and everyone feeling the pressure.

A resident was having a hard time, and my co-worker, trying to move quickly, went by memory. She grabbed the medication from the cart. After all, she’d given it to this resident other times, and her mind was focused on helping the resident. She administered the dose.

but than saw a note on the resident's MAR that made her stomach drop: "MEDICATION DISCONTINUED BY DOCTOR TODAY."

In the rush, and relying on past routine instead of the current order, she had administered a medication that should not have been given.

Thankfully, the resident was completely fine. No immediate adverse reaction. But when we had to inform the family about the error, it was heartbreaking.

They were understandably upset. Their confidence in our care, which we work so hard to build, took a major knock. It was a stark reminder that even when we think we know, the only way to be sure is to follow the process, every single time.

Your Two Most Important Tools: MAR and Label

This experience hammered home two crucial points for everyone on our team, and I hope it does for you too:

1. Never Give Meds from Memory: Seriously, don't do it. No matter how long you’ve worked with a resident or how many times you've given that bright pink pill to Mrs. Smith. Physician orders change, medications get discontinued or swapped out, and our memories, especially under stress, are simply not reliable.

2. Always Compare the MAR to the Medication Label: This is your superpower. Before you pour, before you push, before you apply – hold that medication right next to the MAR (Medication Administration Record). Verbally confirm to yourself (or quietly in your head): "MAR says [Medication Name], [Dose], [Route] for [Patient Name]. Label says [Medication Name], [Dose], [Route]. They match!"

It adds a few extra seconds to your routine, sure. But those few seconds are absolutely vital. They're the difference between a smooth, safe shift and a potential error that causes harm to a resident and erodes the trust of their family.

Let's support each other in making these practices a habit on every shift. Our residents and their families deserve our best, and following the 8 Rights by diligently comparing the MAR and the label is how we deliver it.

Stay safe out there, team! 🤝