eMAR is what our pharmacy and managed care services has been missing
RB Healthcare consists of four independent pharmacies based in the North West. One of the pharmacy branches, Scorah Chemists has developed a Managed Care Service package which allows them to work in close partnership with care homes. The team reviewed this package to see where digital technology could help make their services more efficient and improve patient safety.
The Challenge
To help Scorah Pharmacy improve patient safety, reduce errors and bring efficiency using the latest technology.
To help Scorah Pharmacy improve patient safety, reduce errors and bring efficiency using the latest technology.
The Solution
Omnicell eMAR
Having a very close working relationship with Borough Care (a group operating 11 care homes across Stockport, Manchester) allowed them to explore this technology initiative by implementing an electronic medication administration record, Omnicell eMAR across the group. Omnicell eMAR was piloted at one of Borough Care homes. Following on from this successful pilot, Omnicell eMAR has now been rolled out across the remaining homes. The final installation took place in April which was at an Active Recovery residential care home which cares for residents with complex medication needs.
Omnicell eMAR
Having a very close working relationship with Borough Care (a group operating 11 care homes across Stockport, Manchester) allowed them to explore this technology initiative by implementing an electronic medication administration record, Omnicell eMAR across the group. Omnicell eMAR was piloted at one of Borough Care homes. Following on from this successful pilot, Omnicell eMAR has now been rolled out across the remaining homes. The final installation took place in April which was at an Active Recovery residential care home which cares for residents with complex medication needs.
The Impact
Greater efficiency, reduction in medication errors and group wide dashboards.
Top benefits realised by Scorah Chemists
- Improved efficiencies with workflows.
- The traceability and transparency of the system has improved the pharmacy team’s workflow allowing them to complete tasks associated with eMAR more quickly. No time is wasted fixing issues that were associated with the paper MAR charts.
- Compliant with the NHS Digital IG Toolkit Provides peace of mind that data is stored in a controlled and safe way, 100% of the time. This also ensures that the pharmacy are meeting policies and standard regulations.
- Immediately amend prescriptions - A reduced risk of potential medication errors as the pharmacy can immediately detail any changes to prescription, including dose, on a centralised database which can be viewed by both pharmacy and care home.
Benefits realised across Borough Group
- Significantly decreased medication errors across the Group.
- The barcode scanning function ensures that drugs and doses are correct and that medication is given to the right person at the right time, every time.
- As the exact time of medication administration is recorded on the system, the care staff know when exactly to administer the next dosage. This has improved the accuracy of administrating PRN medicines across the Group.
- The Group has been well supported by the pharmacy (RB Healthcare) and the providers of the system (Omnicell) which has developed into a strong partnership. The pharmacy are always at hand for any queries and have provided additional training to the care team whenever required. The providers have developed a rolling cycle system specifically for the Group as the Active Recovery residential care home has a high turnover of residents.
- Clear audit and dashboard that can be accessed remotely provides management with a transparent and straightforward picture of medication administration. This can be accessed remotely which is a huge benefit for management of a Group.
"Omnicell eMAR is what our pharmacy and Managed Care Services package has been missing. We are now offering Omnicell eMARas part of our package to help ensure our care home customers are managing and administrating medicines safely and efficiently."
Rishi Bhatia, Pharmacy Owner at RB Healthcare
