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Changes to definitions of the Standards for Medication Management
In response to questions related to the clarification of definitions in the Standards for Medication Management, NANB made changes to the definitions of compounding and dispensing and added a definition on supplying. For example, when supported by employer policy, nurses can now dispense prescribed medications: 1) in urgent and/or exceptional circumstances, and/or 2) when pharmacy services are not available. A decision tree was added to the standards to help guide nurses in determining when and if it is appropriate to dispense medications. Here is the link to the updated standards: Standards for Medication Management.
Why is pre-pouring medication a risky approach?
The practice of pre-pouring medications is unsafe. It increases the risk of errors and confuses the line of accountability for the preparation of medications. In accordance with best practice, nurses prepare medications as close as possible to the time that they are to be administered and only administer medications they have prepared themselves. Please consult following resources for best practices: FAQ - Medication Management (question 7) and ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin-Pre-Pouring.
Fact Sheet-Complementary and Alternative Health Care
NANB’s Fact Sheet on Complementary and Alternative Health Care (CAHC) is intended for nurses who are considering using CAHC in their practice or working with clients who are using CAHC. It outlines treatments and practices that are considered CAHC, nurses’ accountabilities when working with clients using or inquiring about CAHC, and when CAHC is considered nursing practice.
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