Nurses and Drugs
SIR,—Dr. Lampard, in his article, Doctors and Drugs, writes: "No nurse has the foggiest idea of the cost of the medicaments she uses." During a probationer's training the young nurse is constantly taught and reminded of the cost of the tools and drugs used. If a nurse breaks a thermometer or a syringe, blunts a pair of scissors or a needle, &c., she places these on a slip of paper, with her name, on Sister's desk. She continues her work without the missing article until such time as this is replaced. The Sister, the stores and the dispensary do not receive these mishaps with indifference or provide these various items with alacrity and disregard of expense.
Once a week a limited quantity of stores is distributed. The night nurse has so much gauze, cotton-wool and lint issued to her to make dressings ; she and the day staff must therefore re-pack each wound, taking into account the amount at their disposal. This strict weekly ration continues with regard to the current ointments, the disinfectants and the lotions. Before the termination of her contract with the hospital the nurse must show herself proficient in the " care and management of stores and equipment."
And, finally, 1 have read the cost of these articles on printed lists in the wards and in the nurses' home, with a signed statement by Matron recommending the attention of all the nursing staff to their economy.—
Previous page
