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Dear Linda,
We want to thank you for your comments and you have made several good
points. The Dept. purposely kept your written comments and used them as the
Dept. was preparing this 8 hour recert curriculum. The Dept. felt that you
deserved the recognition as being part of the process with your
contributions. The mock med pass exercise can utilize two people to pass
meds to each other, there is nothing forbidden to say students had to do the
transcription alone. There is nothing in the curriculum that forbids working
with each other in the transcription or med pass exercises. The third piece,
short answer piece, requires that students do that on their own.
If a student has a known hearing deficient they should bring their
mechanical equipment with them. That would be an acceptable method of
handling that type of situation.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-beas-crma@lists.maine.gov
[mailto:owner-beas-crma@lists.maine.gov]On Behalf Of ConsultingRN@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 10:20 PM
To: Peter.Mauro@maine.gov; beas-crma@lists.maine.gov;
beas-assisted@lists.maine.gov
Subject: Re: beas-crma Feedback
Hello Everyone,
Well, I've read all your e-mails and first I want to clarify that I DID NOT
participate in developing the CRMA recert curriculum or manual. In Sept of
2003, I DID call Peter to discuss concerns and to give constructive feedback
regarding the CRMA manual and was rudely yelled at over the phone. I was
asked to put my concerns in writing (which I did - several pages, and sent
them) but NEVER heard about them again. I do appreciate that my suggestions
were kept and reviewed. Since then, I have had to e-mail both Peter and
Carol and they have always answered my questions promptly and
professionally.
Second, I truly appreciate all the effort that people invested in developing
this curriculum, it shows much time and effort. I would have loved to assist
but could not fit that commitment into my already overbooked workload. I am
sure they put together a product that they felt was best and that must not
have been easy.
Third, I want to say that because there are various levels of assisted
living, some aspects of the curriculum are more pertinent to some facilities
then to others. For instance, some facilities care for elderly people, some
for people with intellectual disabilities, others for persons with mental
illness, and lastly, some children homes. Facilities range from 2 beds up to
much more than that. Some facilities employ nurses; many do not, so the CRMA
needs to be able to work independently without an RN oversight.
Unfortunately, the certification is not specific (I imagine that would be a
nightmare). Hence, the curriculum needs to be universal. A CRMA should be
able to function in any assisted living facility safely!
Next, I agree that CRMAs should have basic knowledge to pass medications and
note orders, but as Betsy said, knowing how to use their resources is a much
greater tool to memorizing lots of hardly used facts. I too see many CRMAs
who are caring and conscientious, but will struggle when they need to note
orders at 100% - especially with the pressure of knowing they only have 1
chance and their job depends on it. Many of my students rarely note orders
(due to their position) and do need a review. Isn't it ironic that in
reality, when orders are noted, they are checked by 2 CRMAs to insure
accuracy, but only get 1 chance in class. Also, CRMAs are encouraged to ask
for assistance, call a nurse or pharmacist or consult a drug handbook in the
real world for questions.
I believe the majority of the test questions are basic and fair. I agree
that equivalents are not necessary to test, they can be looked up and are
rarely used (I personally have never used "drams"). Since CRMAs should never
calculate dosages and metric is the only accepted measurement on an MAR in
assisted living, I discourage my CRMAs from converting any dosages. Instead,
I refer them to the experts - nurses, pharmacists, doctors. The graduated
med cups have all the liquid conversions on them anyway.
I have provided my students in our agency with the manual, minus the
exam/orders and a study guide with worksheets. Perhaps a review workshop can
be scheduled for those who need assistance or a refresher class offered
prior to taking the recert class. (After all, when I recert my PALS or ACLS,
I get the manual and a review prior to testing my skills.)
I have always told my students that my goal is to insure they can pass meds
safely and I will do whatever I can to help them succeed. Scaring them will
not accomplish that goal, but supporting them and helping them through this
will.
I wanted to end with a question for instructors: how do you handle students
with hearing deficits when checking their blood pressure monitoring skills?
I have many group homes that rely heavily on automatic machines as well as
staff with difficulty hearing. I can foresee a problem and wanted your
feedback…………
Thanks for listening and wish me the best, my first recert class is next
week……
Best Wishes,
Linda Reed, RN
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