PSW’s and Medications
November 30, 2009 at 8:55 pm | Posted in personal support worker, psw, psw canada, psw job | 3 CommentsTags: ontario, personal support worker, psw, psw canada
This past weekend I came across a few interesting articles on personal support workers and medications (psw.ca PSW Administer Medications & PSW Canada’s Blog Caught in the Middle).
After quickly reading those articles it certainly raises the question of what to do? The first article states that while it’s fishy to administer meds you should make a qualified decision. The second was a press release to newspapers stating that PSW’s should not take part in administering medications.
Personally I’m on the fence. On one hand I’ve seen co-op students administer medications. Certainly a big no-no. On the other hand PSW’s outside of union employment may be taking their jobs in their hands if they complain to higher ups about the whole med giving process.
Ultimately this probably falls into the do what’s right category. Each individual personal support worker knows the workplace setting, co-workers and bosses. Weighing all of these issues is a must IMO when it comes to making a decision on administer medications or standing up to the employer
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I want to mention that is is not within the scope of practice of the PSW to give medications in most cases. The decision/consent is not yours to make. You need to consult with nursing or medical professionals before giving out ANY medication. To do otherwise would be putting your client at risk of great harm.
Comment by Dolly— December 15, 2009 #
[...] received a comment on my last blog update, PSW’s and Medications. Here’s a bit of the comment: I want to mention that is is not within the scope of practice [...]
Pingback by The New Year and Administering Medications « PSW Personal Support Worker— January 6, 2010 #
That is most certainly not within the scope of practice of the PSW, although I know it happens. If it is going to happen, and I do not feel it should, it should be in pre-packages, and the particular PSW should have “extensive” additional training and be educated on each medication and what they need to watch for and how they can monitor these effects, unless a nurse is available to at least monitor that…..
Comment by Susan— September 4, 2010 #