Figure 2-4. Unit dose cassette/drawer.
2-16. DIVIDING DRAWERS
Normally, dividers are used to separate the medications in the drawer. The two
most common ways of dividing the drawer are by time or by medication type. When
using the time method, all doses to be administered at a particular time are placed in
one compartment of the drawer. Using the medication type system, all doses of the
same drug are placed in one compartment regardless of time due. The unit dose
package is placed in the proper compartment of the correct patient tray, and the number
of individual items placed in the drawer is entered on the profile sheet under the date
across from the medication.
2-17. SPECIAL NOTATIONS
In figure 2-5, two tablets of Dimetapp were placed in the drawer and a 2 was
entered under the 1 Jan column across from the Dimetapp entry. Two tablets were
placed in the drawer because the order is for one tablet two times a day. Eight 250 mg
erythromycin tablets were placed in the drawer and an 8 entered on the profile sheet.
This process is followed until all the required medications for a patient have been placed
in the drawer and the entries made on the profile sheet.
MD0811
2-11