5 Types of eMAR for Senior Living Communities

Navigating medication management within senior living communities requires precision, efficiency, and unwavering safety procedures. As technology evolves across all industries, electronic medication administration record (eMAR) systems have become vital, replacing traditional paper-based systems, which are prone to user errors. 

However, not all eMAR software solutions offer the same level of support and functionality. To fully understand the different types of eMAR for senior living communities, we must first address what eMAR is and its crucial role in modern medication management. Understanding the various types of eMAR for senior living communities is key for administrators seeking to optimize resident care, streamline workflows, and minimize medication errors.

Below, we will explore the different types of senior living eMAR systems, considerations for choosing the right eMAR system, and the benefits of Aline’s eMAR for senior living communities.

Types of Senior Living eMAR

Knowing the five different types of senior living and assisted living eMAR solutions can help community decision-makers determine which is best suited for the safety of their residents and optimal senior living operations management.

1. Standalone eMAR Systems

Standalone eMAR systems essentially function as a digital version of traditional paper-based medication administration records. Keeping electronic medication chart records allows trained staff to use digital entry. Plus, patient medication information can be stored securely, recording details like medication names, dosages, administration times, and more.

This type of eMAR system operates with basic functionality, focusing on recording and tracking medication administration. However, standalone eMAR systems have limited or lack integration capabilities with other health care systems, notably electronic health records (EHRs) and pharmacy systems. This can prevent senior living communities from accessing a complete view of resident health, which can result in care mistakes that could increase hospital readmissions. 

2. Integrated eMAR Systems

Integrated eMAR systems go beyond basic digital record-keeping by connecting with other health care systems to create a more comprehensive and streamlined medication management process. 

With an integrated system, data is automatically exchanged between relevant health care platforms — meaning a change, medication order, or update made in one system is updated in real time in all connected platforms to eliminate revenue leakage and reduce the risk of errors with less manual entry for increased resident safety. 

Other key safety features that accompany integrated eMAR systems include:

• Drug interaction alerts
• Allergy checks
• Auto-refill reminders
• Barcode scanning for medication verification

For resident care professionals, an integrated eMAR medication system helps reduce redundant tasks, increase efficiency, and improve provider communication for a more holistic view of resident health.

3. Mobile eMAR Systems

Mobile eMAR systems bring the convenience and flexibility of mobile technology use, like smartphones and tablets, to medication administration within senior living communities’ medical offices or exam rooms. This means caregivers can access and update resident medication records at the point-of-care in real time with data stored on the devices themselves.

This type of system is also equipped with barcode scanning capabilities, allowing resident care providers to accurately verify resident information, medication, dosage, administration time, and more. Some mobile eMAR systems also offer offline functionality, which allows caregivers to document activity without internet access. The system will then sync and update when an internet connection is made. 

4. Cloud-Based eMAR Systems

Cloud-based eMAR systems leverage the power of cloud computing to provide accessible and scalable medication management solutions. Remote medication data storage via the cloud means information is accessible from an internet connection, eliminating the need for costly on-site hardware. 

Web-based access with cloud-based eMAR systems means authorized users can use internet-connected devices, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets, to log in and see medication information. All software updates and maintenance are handled by your chosen cloud provider, so the system is constantly kept up-to-date with no lift from your community’s leadership or IT team. 

For growing senior living communities, cloud-based eMAR systems are easily scalable and integrable to accommodate changing needs. Its low implementation and maintenance costs also help senior living community operations save money.

5. Point-of-Care eMAR Systems

Point-of-care eMAR systems are designed to bring medication management directly to the resident’s location, creating enhanced accuracy and efficiency. This system enables caregivers to provide real-time documentation of medication administration in a resident’s room or specific location, eliminating delays and reducing the risk of errors associated with delayed charting.

Typically, mobile devices, like tablets or handheld scanners, are used with point-of-care eMAR for easy access to and recording of a resident’s medication information. The barcode scanning feature in particular allows for improved verification of providing care with the five rights:

• Right resident
• Right medication
• Right dosage
• Right route
• Right time

Considerations for Choosing the Right Senior Living eMAR System

As with many other software adoption opportunities that relate to senior living trends, selecting the appropriate eMAR system for your senior living community is a critical decision for community administrators as it directly impacts resident safety and staff efficiency. It’s essential to recognize that not all eMAR systems are right for every senior living situation. 

Each community has unique needs, resident demographics, and operational workflows that must be carefully evaluated when choosing the right eMAR system. A system that works flawlessly in a large assisted living community might be overly complex or lack crucial features for a smaller memory care community. Therefore, a thorough assessment of the community’s specific requirements is essential before making a final decision.

To ensure the eMAR system you choose aligns with your community’s needs, administrators and stakeholders should consider the following factors:

• Integration capabilities: How well does the eMAR system integrate with existing EHR, pharmacy, and other relevant systems?
• Ease of use: Is the system intuitive and user friendly for caregivers with varying levels of technical proficiency?
• Compliance: Does the system meet all relevant regulatory requirements, including HIPAA and state-specific regulations?
• Security: Are robust security measures in place to protect sensitive resident data?
• Support: What level of technical support and training is provided by the vendor?
• Scalability: Can the system easily adapt to the community’s changing needs and growth?
• Cost: What are the upfront and ongoing costs associated with the system, including hardware, software, and maintenance?

Benefits of Aline eMAR for Senior Living

As you consider the options available for an eMAR system, a significantly more advanced solution, Aline eMAR, delivers additional safety features and benefits to provide greater value to operators and pharmacies alike.

1. One Scan for Multiple Medications

With Aline eMAR, caregivers can scan one barcode per pill pouch and account for the accuracy of all the contents in that pouch — including resident information, correct medications, and appropriate doses. This prevents the need to scan each medication individually, providing huge time savings and reducing the possibility of giving residents the wrong medication.

2. Automated Cycle Fill Check-In

Barcode scanning saves time by streamlining check-in processes for cycle fill deliveries. The system highlights any missing orders or discontinued medication, allowing for quick verification and an electronic notification to be sent to the pharmacy.

3. Flexible Barcode Scanning

Not all barcode scanners are created equal. This eMAR system supports total medication barcode scanning compliance across all residents. In other words, it can scan drugs from sources outside your interfaced pharmacy, including mail-order and VA prescriptions.

4. Works Offline Indefinitely

While some systems will work offline for a limited time, eMAR continues to work throughout the loss of network connectivity and automatically syncs data when the connection is restored. This crucial capability further promotes patient safety, data security, and ensures the integrity of your record keeping in the event of a power outage, a natural disaster, an evacuation, or other unforeseen loss of network connection.

5. A More Sophisticated Pharmacy Integration

Aline eMAR boasts a higher level of integration and can easily manage more complex orders. Examples include prescription refills that require a new Rx number, and prescriptions that have alternating or tapering doses. Not only a timesaver, eMAR’s integration with pharmacy systems also promotes additional order accuracy and appropriateness.

6. Top-Notch Support

Aline eMAR assumes responsibility for all support 24/7, from implementation throughout the life of our partnership. The Aline eMAR team has extensive knowledge of more than 13 pharmacy systems, and trainers are available to work on-site to help every user master the community-pharmacy order exchange. Our senior living and pharmacy partners can rely on Aline eMAR to help them reach the highest level of success in the shortest time.

FAQ

Find answers to additional questions about the types of eMAR for senior living communities below.

What Does eMAR Stand For and What Is eMAR?

eMAR stands for electronic medication administration records and is the digitization of paper medication records. There are different eMAR systems, ranging from more basic options to remote integrations. 

By transitioning from paper to electronic records, senior living communities can experience:

• Increased information security 
• Ease of access to crucial medicine information 
• Reduced risk of error
• Providing residents with top-of-the-line care

What Is Medication Management in Assisted Living?

Medication management in assisted living communities refers to the comprehensive process of overseeing and ensuring the safe and effective distribution and use of medications for residents.

This is particularly crucial because many older adults use multiple medications, which increases the risk of adverse drug interactions and medication errors. Introducing technologies like eMAR and AI in senior living helps increase safety for all residents and ensure they’re receiving accurate medications and doses at the right time.

What Is Aline eMAR?

Aline eMAR provides senior living community staff with an advanced solution for medication management. Featuring safety measures and other benefits, Aline aims to provide community caregivers with greater value to provide the best care possible to residents. 

Choose the Best Senior Living eMAR Software

Learn more about the value and benefits that only Aline eMAR delivers to senior living community administrators and stakeholders. Book a demo and see for yourself the value an integrated senior living operations suite can bring to your community.