Medication management in nursing is at the heart of what we do as healthcare professionals. Having a clear and robust medication administration policy is vital to ensure safety and consistency across all aspects of care.
It’s something we have always viewed as one of the most vital responsibilities we carry – not just for patient safety but also for ensuring treatment plans are effective. From our work with care homes across the UK and Ireland, our team at eMAR Plus understands the pressure care staff are under to get it right every time. Administering the correct medication, at the right dose, and at the right time is a fundamental part of delivering quality care.This level of diligence underscores just how vital effective medication management is within care homes. It safeguards residents and supports care teams in providing the best possible outcomes.
The Key Role of Nurses in Medication Management
Nurses and care staff serve as the final checkpoint before a patient or resident receives their medication. It is their responsibility to check prescriptions, assess residents' conditions, administer medication accurately, and closely monitor for any side effects. This requires more than just practical skills; it demands knowledge of pharmacology, attention to detail, and effective communication with both residents and colleagues.
We have seen first-hand how care staff are often the ones who catch potential issues before they escalate. Our care providers have shared stories where a simple query or a double-check prevented a serious error. This level of responsibility requires them to constantly balance clinical knowledge with our instincts developed from experience on the floor.
Medication Errors – A Risk We Must Reduce
Medication errors are a worry for all of us in healthcare. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), medication-related harm accounts for around 50% of all preventable harm in medical care, affecting one in every 30 patients. Alarmingly, over a quarter of these cases are severe or life-threatening.
Here in the UK, the situation is equally concerning. A 2018 study commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care estimated that 237 million medication errors occur in the NHS every year. Of these, avoidable adverse drug reactions cause around 712 deaths annually, with a possible 1,700 more deaths contributed to by medication-related issues. The financial cost to the NHS from these errors is estimated to be £98 million per year. This reality underscores the importance of their vigilance in day-to-day practice.
These figures highlight the need for robust medication management systems. At eMAR Plus, we believe that electronic MAR systems play a critical role in reducing errors, improving safety, and supporting care staff to deliver accurate, consistent medication administration—every time.
What Causes Medication Errors?
Through our work with care homes providers, we recognised that errors often result from:
Miscommunication: Sometimes, unclear handwriting, misunderstood instructions, or transcription mistakes lead to the wrong medicine or dose being given.
Distractions: Working in a noisy or chaotic environment can cause lapses in concentration.
Fatigue: Long shifts and irregular working hours can leave us exhausted, increasing the risk of mistakes. Studies have shown that errors are three times more likely when shifts run over 12.5 hours.
Complex Systems: With so many protocols and systems in place, it can be easy to miss something or get confused.
Knowledge Gaps: With new medications constantly being introduced, it can sometimes be difficult to stay up to date with their uses, side effects, and potential interactions.
Steps to Improve Medication Safety
Working alongside care homes across the UK, we have identified several practices that can reduce the risk of medication errors:
Following the “Five Rights”: Always check you have the right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. This basic rule is one you should never skip.
Reducing Interruptions: Setting up no-interruption zones when preparing medications helps focus and lowers the risk of getting distracted.
Using Technology: Tools like our electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) and barcode systems have been a huge help. Barcode scanning alone is estimated to prevent around 90,000 serious errors every year. Implementing a reliable medication administration software and medication management software can significantly streamline processes and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Staying Up to Date: Making a point of attending training sessions to stay informed about new drugs and best practices. We were thrilled to hear from one of our care home providers at Loughview Housing how "Training was absolutely fantastic, the team took us through everything step by step and tailored the training to the needs of our residents and staff.” At eMAR Plus, we go beyond software—empowering care teams with intuitive, resident-focused solutions.
Encouraging a Culture of Safety: We have seen first-hand how open communication can prevent errors. Creating a team culture where we feel comfortable raising concerns, questioning orders, and learning from near misses is invaluable.
How eMAR Plus Has Supported Care Homes
Our eMAR system is a digital tool designed to streamline medication management in nursing within care homes. It has made a big difference to daily routines and patient safety across the care homes we work with.
As a leading provider of medication administration software and medication management software, we are proud to support care homes across the UK and Ireland.We are proud to supply this technology to trusted organisations such as Radius Housing, Hutchinson Care Homes, and Lilian Faithful Care, among others. Our system is tailored to the needs of care homes and has been instrumental in improving medication safety and efficiency.
Our eMAR Plus system provides a clear, easy-to-follow medication schedule, helping staff administer medicines accurately and on time. Each member of staff logs in with a unique ID, ensuring every administration is recorded and traceable. Stock levels are also tracked in real-time, with alerts for low supplies to prevent any risk of running out.
An independent study at Antrim Care Home found that our eMAR Plus software reduced medication administration times by over 50%. Feedback from the care homes we work with has echoed these results. Staff report that the system frees up more time for resident care, which is what person-centred nursing should be about.
One of the biggest advantages we’ve heard from our clients is the reduction in missed doses. Before using eMAR Plus, occasional human error meant that medications could sometimes be overlooked, especially during busy shifts. Now, the system flags up any missed medications, prompting immediate action.
The added accountability has also strengthened teamwork within the care homes we support. Knowing that each action is logged encourages staff to double-check everything. It’s reassuring to know that there’s a clear record to refer back to if any questions arise later.
Final Thoughts on Medication Management in Nursing
At eMAR Plus, we understand that medication management in nursing is at the heart of quality care. Our goal is to equip care homes with the tools and support they need to minimise errors and focus on what matters most – the wellbeing of their residents.
Medication management in nursing is not just a task; it is a promise to protect those who rely on us. Each prescription check, every carefully measured dose, and every barcode scan ensures residents receive the safe, accurate care they deserve. By combining trusted nursing practices with smart technology like eMAR Plus, care homes can improve safety, free up valuable time, and deliver the standard of care every resident deserves. Contact us today for more information.
