MAR Chart - Oasis Life Care

Meet the MAR chart

Learn more about how our carers record medication

Discussing what the MAR Chart is and how it helps

Carers use a number of tools and resources to ensure service users receive the very best care, and one that is beneficial to understand is the MAR Chart. Carers often work in tandem with the client’s registered community nurse and GP in order to ensure there is continuity in their medication management, and the MAR Chart is a vital part of the handover process.

Here, we are sharing everything you need to know about the MAR Chart, including how it works, why it is so important, and what kinds of medication carers can administer safely. At

Oasislife Care, our aim is to help people live positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 2 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals.

What is the MAR Chart?

The MAR Chart (link to this website: Medicines administration records in adult social care –
Care Quality Commission ) stands for Medication Administration Record, and it exists to keep track of every medication that needs to be given to the client, and every medication that
has already been given. It is an active document that carers use to keep track of all medication, including what the medicine is, and exactly what time it was last administered.

This can include over-the-counter medicines and anything prescribed by the GP. The MAR
Chart is valid for one month and will then be replaced by a new sheet. During that time, it will record information such as:

The type of medication
The dosage of medication The exact time it was given to the patient
If the patient refused to take the medication
Any important instructions about the medication, for example, if it should be taken with food

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Why is a MAR chart needed?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that care providers must keep secure,
accurate and up-to-date records about all medicines administered, as required under
the Health and Social Care Act 2008 – the MAR Chart is a key element of this.

The importance of keeping clear records that leave no room for misunderstanding, and that never miss any information about medications, cannot be overstated.

For older adults who take multiple medications each day, an inaccurate MAR Chart (or one that has not been filled out quickly enough after administering medication) could result in missed doses, dangerous medication interactions, or overdoses.

The MAR Chart is a vital tool that carers use to ensure their client is safe and well, but it is also important for protecting the care worker by recording all of their medication
interactions with the client.

How does the MAR chart work?

MAR Charts (link to this website: Medicines administration records in adult social care – Care Quality Commission ) can be printed on paper (some pharmacies will provide this if you need it) but many agencies use their own digital system to record this information. The MAR Chart will usually include instructions for the medications needed. This is because in some cases multiple carers will be entering the home at different times, and a new carer, or one
with many clients to see each day, may not be familiar with what needs to happen.

By reading the MAR Chart, they should be able to learn:.

The medications that have been prescribed and anything else that should be given
What time they should be administered (this information may need to be decided
based on information the previous carer added to the MAR Chart, which shows the importance of keeping an accurate record of each dose)
What dose to administer
Any special information that should also be adhered to for best results or safety
reasons

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) makes it clear that MAR Charts MUST be filled out immediately by the carer after medication has been administered, in order to make sure the information is as accurate and timely as possible.