When new resident enters the home, or an existing residents receives a new medication, this will need to be added to the Atlas device to ensure that the resident is given their medication. When adding a new medication to the Atlas device you must ensure that the directions that are entered are exactly the same as what has been prescribed, either by looking at the medication label, the discharge letter or the letter from the GP. You must be sure that the instructions given are correct and verified by a suitable professional.
To add a new medication follow this process:
1. Log into the Atlas device and select the view residents icon. If the resident is already on the Atlas device then select their name from the list and click the add drug icon at the top of the screen.
If the resident is not yet on the Atlas device then they will need to be added before you can begin. please click here for more details: How to add a new resident to Atlas eMAR
2. Start entering the name of the medication into the drug name box and a list will appear with a variety of medications you could be trying to enter; select the correct item from the list ensuring that it is the correct strength and form as well as ingredient.
3. If the medication is to be taken ‘when required’ or has a 'variable dose' click slider next to the options to change it from no to yes or if you are adding a cream that is 'ok for care assistant to administer' then move the slider from no to yes.
4. Enter the dosage in the relevant field, again please ensure that it is an exact match of the dosage given by the GP or Hospital Prescriber.
5. Select Schedule it will show 'Not set' by default.
6. You will have a list of options. If the medication is hourly, or every three hours etc, then select hourly and select how often. Then enter the time and quantity. If the medication will be taken on a daily basis, no matter how many times they will take it in that day or if they are taking the medication every two days etc, select daily and then select how often. Then select the time and quantity. If the medication should be taken on a specific day then select weekly and choose the appropriate days for administration. Then select the time and quantity. If the medication should be taken monthly, or every few months, select monthly and choose the appropriate timescale for administration. Then select the time and quantity. Once you are happy that the medication will prompt at the correct times, then save changes.
6. The final option given is whether the medication will be managed by
- Atlas (device will prompt)
- Self-medicating (medications will remain with resident)
- Paper (this is usually for district nurse applications of cream and dressings etc)
- homely remedy (individual homely remedy medications)
7. Make sure that the dosage reminder is showing yes if you wish the Atlas device to prompt you when the medication is due to be administered. If you have selected homely remedy or paper then ensure to turn the dosage reminders off. Turning the dosage reminders off will result in the medication not prompting for administration.
7. Once you have completed this screen, select next and ask a colleague to review all the details are correct once completed they can witness the medication.
Repeat steps 2 - 7 for any additional medication which needs to be added. Once you have added all of the new medication ensure the Atlas device is synchronised.
Tips
Remember to book in any stock once new medication has been added.
To avoid duplication, always synchronise the device before add new medication because if your pharmacy are expecting a prescription for any new medication they may have already added it to the patient record.