Caring Homes Embrace Technology With Electronic Medication Administration Recording (eMAR)
We’re excited to share that the implementation of electronic Medication Administration Recording (e-MAR) in each of our 21 Caring Homes is now complete – a significant step in ensuring that by embracing technology, our teams continue to deliver the very best person centred care to our residents.
Improved Consistency and Efficiency
Medication was one of the last ‘paper’ based systems at Caring Homes. Its replacement, e-MAR, is designed to increase patient safety by improving consistency and efficiency around the delivery of medication.
Provided to us through a system called Camascope, e-MAR was created around a portal and is also app-based for use during medication rounds. It builds a complete medication profile for each resident which integrates with information already held for them on our care planning system, PCS (Person Centred Software) and with the pharmacy provider.
Hours Saved Through Technology Boost Person Centred Care
Since the full launch, we estimate that using eMAR is saving our staff up to an hour on each medication round. All this saved time will be given to our residents as person centred care, tailored by our teams to suit each individual’s needs.
A Complete Audit Trail for Each Resident
Each profile shows medical information unique to the resident including allergies, conditions and protocols for particular medicines and their chart is viewed on an electronic tablet - much clearer than a paper printout - by the individual administering medicines. The system prompts a series of simple steps and checks and in effect, provides a complete audit trail where every recorded action is given a time, date and user stamp.
Managers oversee and monitor a resident’s profile over a period of time or filter to view a particular aspect. For example, they can see that medication has been either ‘taken, missed or skipped’, with notes recorded alongside where relevant.
More Effective Medical Data Records and Less Medicine Wastage
Another benefit of using eMAR Camascope is that medication given ‘only when required’ or that is self-administered, can be recorded electronically. It also recognises new medication that has been added to a resident’s profile and will raise an alert if there is a potential clash with existing medicines.
The system not only helps to reduce the administration around medication and recording errors, it also works towards reducing medicine waste by facilitating end to end stock management. This means that each care home is in complete control of its own stock, from ordering and checking in medicines to recording returned or disposed products
Positive Feedback on the Implementation from our Teams
Feedback has been positive and Quality Support Manager, Michael Redman is pleased with the successful implementation across the group.
“The Quality team aimed to give consistent support throughout the roll-out process to ensure a smooth changeover moving from paper or previous versions of e-MAR onto Camascope. I think we achieved this very well and produced a lot of guidance to facilitate this. From a clinical perspective there is now comprehensive oversight of ordering, administration and disposal, and data and process can be analysed effectively through the Camascope reports”.
Managers have been encouraged to engage with Camascope, and to share any suggestions they may have to develop the software. They can already see the benefits in their day to day operations as Whittington House Home Manager, Kirsty Hopton, explained; “The introduction of our e-MAR system has allowed staff to work in a more streamlined way, creating more time to be spent with residents. It allows for efficient reporting of safety issues with MHRA alerts. Having resources available on the tablet supports medication-trained staff to work safely and effectively. It is also user friendly and allows us to reduce our paper usage, supporting our aim to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Our decision to embrace technology and fully commit to an electronic medication system has been a significant one for Caring Homes. The implementation of e-MAR is just one of several steps we are taking to incorporate cutting edge innovation into our care homes, helping to make Caring Homes the best possible place to live and work for our residents and teams.
