If two certified/licensed staff are not available when the medication is due to be administered, what procedure should be followed?

In situations where medication is due to be administered but two certified or licensed staff members are not available, the correct procedure is to have the next staff on duty verify the order after transcription. This is crucial because it ensures that the medication administration process adheres to safety and protocol standards. Verification by a qualified individual helps to confirm that the right medication, dose, route, and timing are correct, thereby minimizing the risk of errors or adverse events.

Having an additional staff member involved helps to maintain checks and balances in the medication administration process, ensuring that even in the absence of the originally scheduled staff, appropriate measures are taken to uphold patient safety. It reinforces accountability, as it requires a responsible party to review and confirm the transcription of the medication order before administration occurs.

In contrast, skipping medication administration could lead to potential harm to the patient due to missed doses, and having only one staff member complete the transcription without verification could increase the risk of errors. Notifying a supervisor could be part of the protocol, but it is essential to have a verification process in place before administering any medication. Thus, involving the next staff on duty in verifying the order aligns with best practices in medication management.