MediSystem Pharmacy™, a pharmacy service provider to long-term care facilities in Canada introduced DIGIMAR, a digital pen and paper application. The application enables long-term care facilities to keep accurate and up-to-date records of all medication administered to patients.

In the past, paper forms were used to document medication administration. These forms were printed by the pharmacy and sent to each facility shortly before the beginning of next month's medication cycle. Nurses then documented each dose of medication given to a patient, using regular pen and paper. During the course of the month, any subsequent changes in medication were marked on the forms.

By the end of the month, copies of the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for each patient were faxed or delivered to the pharmacy for editing. This made it difficult, if not impossible, to monitor and keep all the information up-to-date. There were always discrepancies as changes occurred in the patient’s medication during the month. With the new application, most of the discrepancies are reduced, making the system truly viable.

Benefits: Medication orders can be double-checked against MARs nearly in real time and any discrepancies can be spotted right away. Better quality of care.

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