May already! Can you believe it!? Time just flies by doesn't it?!
One of the questions we're asked most often recently is "What should be on a Medicines Administration Record? and "How do we complete them properly?"
In a nutshell - here are our Top Tips!
1. Make sure your MAR contains the following information:-
- Name & Address of Client
- Start Date
- Medication Details in full
- Time to be taken
- Somewhere to sign or initial
- Key for any codes used
2. The person giving the support with the medication signs the MAR at the time of support
3. All "PRN" and Homely remedies or over-the -counter remedies are recorded on the MAR with details of indication to give at that time.
4. The are no gap in the records! Gaps equal question marks????? and will be investigated. Better to sign and use a code rather than leave a gap.
5. If the prescribed dose is a variable dose for example 10 to 20ml - please record what dose was actually given.
We are dedicated to providing you with answers and solutions to enable to you work to best practice and give your service users the best support you can. So, throughout 2010 we will continue to keep you up to date with issues, hot topics and information to help you continue to deliver the best service possible for those in your care. We would also love to hear from you too. If you have any questions or comments about medicines in care we are happy to answer them and share best practice. Simply email tracey.dowe@momentumpeople.co.uk or call 01793 700929 or
click here to send an enquiry through our website.
Promoting independence for clients within social care is such a
priority and yet through a lack of knowledge and appropriate training
or advice, we are still over supporting our clients out of Level 1
General Support and into Level 2 Administration long before they need
to be there. There are lots of ways to empower people to remain in
control of their medicines, it's just that they are not very well
known. It's about time they were both known, recommended and used so
let's have a look at the compliance aids available to help our service
user take or use their medicines themselves.