5 West Nursing

Minutes before the end of the shift, we started the final countdown before the hostile takeover (as the AM nurses started to trickle down the hallway), someone asked the all too important question… “Where are the narcotic keys?”… “I don’t know” was the reply.

Let’s face it… in the day-to-day operation the one last thing on our mind is “Who gets the privilege of babysitting a 3oz piece of red plastic coil with a keyring attached to it?” Quite frankly, being assigned to hold the narc keys is more akin to contracting leprosy than receiving the Oscars, especially when there is nothing locked up in the narcotic box. (By the way, I nominate Leah for best lead actress in film “The Narcotic Count Queen: 3 Days and Counting!” a 5 West Films Production)

During narc count, we did make a startling discovery… miraculously the narc key emerged in it’s own little compartment, tucked in the safety of the Pyxis. Eureka there it is! Which by the way, got me excited I almost forgot I was at MMC. Finally we’re making progress!

I suppose in the chaos someone has rediscovered what most modern institutions have been doing for centuries (so to speak)… lock up the narc keys in the Pyxis. Which, wouldn’t you agree, would be the most logical and efficiently smart way to do for the following reasons:

1) Saves time – how would you like to be running around asking your co-workers “Who’s got the keys? Which way did he/she go? What? They’re on a smoking break?”

2) Keeps a log of last access – now we have an electronic trail to document who and when the keys were taken.

3) Accidental take-home preventable – hopefully, unless of course you forget to do the bonding ritual, I mean, narcotic counts at the end of your shift. Since no one has any reason to take the keys out unless there is stuff in the narcotic box or a PCA that needs starting, you don’t need to mess with the keys.

4) One less load to carry – as nurses we all know that any system that cuts on the workload, is worth the effort even if it was as minute as having to hold on to the narc keys.

You’ll probably think of other reasons to keep the keys locked up in the Pyxis (or for some, reasons not to lock the keys up in the Pyxis), but I suppose those four would suffice for now. Smart move in the right direction… kudos to whoever thought this up!

Now… can someone tell us how we’re supposed to get the keys out? Have you discovered this yet? Let us know… share your knowledge by posting your comments today!