Digital record sheet significantly reduces medication errors
For UK residential care homes and supported living services the safe administration of medication is imperative.
Hft, a national charity providing services for people with learning disabilities, have a forward thinking attitude to how technology can enhance and improve the service that they provide. To that end they have engaged in the development of a digital version of the traditional medical record sheet.
The challenge:
Hft wanted a reliable and accurate means of recording the administration of medication to the people that they support. The solution needed to accommodate their particular requirements, like being easy, but to also be compliant within the social care sector.
The solution:
Hft appointed Graphix Asset to liaise directly with its Support Workers, Managers and Directors to gain a thorough understanding of the organisation’s medication recording and reporting requirements.
Taking the format of the existing paper MAR record sheet as a foundation, Graphix Asset planned, designed and developed eMAR – a mobile app alternative. Developed with Hft, eMAR can be used on a smart phone or tablet and integrates with the pharmacy. It also offers month-end audits and extensive reporting saving time for both the manager and carer.
It also comes complete with built-in safety features like alerts and reminders to ensure that medication is administered reliably.
The outcome:
Staff at Hft say how easy eMAR is to use. Enhancing the familiarity and features of the paper-based system with alerts and reminders has led to increased accuracy and ultimately means that supported people receive the best possible care. Medication rounds are quicker and errors have been significantly reduced, saving time and resource.
More information:
eMAR meets all of the medication recording needs of today’s health and social care sector, is compliant, yet capable of evolving to accommodate changing guidelines across different types of care provider. Following a short dual-run pilot, eMAR is being rolled-out nationally across Hft.