On 28th March Faithfull House care home in Cheltenham launch the charity’s new ‘electronic medication administration record’ (eMAR) and replaces the paper based system used to manage medication of our residents. It is a big step forward in the charity’s use of technology and will increase safety and efficiency, as well as save time.
Lilian Faithfull Care has chosen to work with PillPacCare; well established in Ireland, and this is PillPacCare’s first eMAR installation in England.
PillPacCare says, “The web app records the administration of medication safely and securely. Improves the safety of residents, reduces errors, and ensures that the care team are kept updated with e-Medication Management.”
In recent care news, Health and Social Care secretary Sajid Javid said, “around 40 per cent of care providers are still grappling entirely with paper-based records, and called on them to accelerate the roll out of digital records. Charity Lilian Faithfull Care in Gloucestershire were already leading ahead in their plans for this.”
Lilian Faithfull Care’s project manager Matt Faulkner has worked with the fantastic Faithfull House team and PillPacCare to ensure all aspects of introducing a new system were considered, including ensuring all relevant staff are fully trained and confident with the system.
Care Home Manager Dale Booker commented, “Faithfull House is looking forward to embracing the new Emar system. The home has received superb support from both PillPacCare and our project manager Matt Faulkner. We are proud to be the first home in England to use this new system, as we constantly strive to improve the lives of both our residents and staff members.”
eMAR is proving easy to use and it also brings extra safety checks and a host of useful features. Gone are the huge heavy paper ring binders and in their place are tablets and scanners which scan the medication. The eMAR tablets use either Wifi or mobile data to ensure a fail-safe system (as well enabling them to be used on day trips etc). There are a range of quick print outs which are useful when someone is visiting family or making a trip to hospital. The system also allows for quick and easy audits, as well as simplifying ordering.
Martin Hughes Chief Executive says, “The use of technology is to enhance care and never replace it – these systems, particularly eMAR will ensure better compliance and safety but equally important it will put more time back into front-line care.”
Faithfull House is the first care home in the charity to install this system and this experience will be used to successfully introduce the system in all of our homes in Gloucestershire.
