[nursingnews] DNV Readiness - Pill Splitters in Med Rooms

[Nursing News List]

Good afternoon,

While rounding on the units today, I found multiple used pill splitters in the medication rooms. Photos of some of the findings are included below.

Policy CM M-03, Medication Administration/Dispensing-General, Section Q.1 (page 13) states:

  *   Tablet splitters must not be shared between patients.
  *   After use, tablet splitters must be thoroughly cleaned using warm water and stored in a clean zip lock bag in the patient's room.
  *   For SUWA/SACO/Behavioral Health admissions, tablet splitters must be stored in the patient-specific bin in the medication room.
  *   Preparation surfaces should be cleaned with hospital-approved disinfectant wipes following dose preparation.

DNV will be surveying soon. Please have these removed from all med rooms immediately and reinforce these requirements with staff and check medication rooms to ensure pill splitters are cleaned, assigned to individual patients, and stored appropriately. Any used splitters whose patient assignment cannot be confirmed should be removed from use.

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Thank you,

Michelle A. Lonkey, MBA, CHOP-B
ISO Management Representative
Upstate University Hospital
Hospital Administration
750 E. Adams St., 1218 UH
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 464-6128
lonkeym at upstate.edu<mailto:lonkeym at upstate.edu>
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