Managing medication is a big responsibility, so we want to make it as smooth and safe as possible for you.
If you are handling a client’s medication, your manager will have set this up for you as a Medication Administration task.
Here is a simple guide on how to handle medication in the app.
1. Find your tasks
First, head to the tasks section of your visit. You'll see Medication administration listed there, alongside other tasks. Click Check and Report
2. Reporting scheduled medication
To keep things clear and easy, you will only see the medication scheduled for the specific time of your visit. This matches the 'Time of the Day' labels set up in the settings of your company's Nursebuddy account.
For every dose, you need to report either Given or Not Given:
Given: You gave the medication (including creams), or you witnessed the client take it with your help.
Not Given: If a dose wasn't given, you still need to report it. Whether the client refused, the meds weren't found, they were destroyed or other reason, simply select Not Given and choose the reason from the list.
Once you’ve reported the doses, click Confirm
Need to see the whole day?
If you need to see or report medication scheduled outside your visit time, tap the SHOW FULL DAY option. You can report on these if needed, but the app will just ask for a quick confirmation first.
A quick tip on 'No-Timed' medication:
Sometimes medication appears without a specific time label (No-Timed medication). This may be because managers didn't add a time label or because the medication doesn't require one. We recommend ensuring all mandatory medication has a specific time label to avoid confusion and keep your safeguarding standards high!
⚠ If you are unsure of what to do if there is a no-timed medication, please call your manager and confirm before proceeding.
3. Reporting creams and topical medication
To make reporting topical medication easier, Nursebuddy uses a Body map.
If this has been added to the client's profile topical medication, you can view the body map by simply clicking the green button: View Body Map. This ensures everyone knows exactly where creams or ointments need to be applied.
4. Adjusting a report
Need to make a change?
To change a reported time, remove a report or add more notes after the fact:
Tap the Edit button next to the dose you need to change.
Select the relevant option from Actions.
Please note: Only the carer who made the report can edit it. Other carers cannot edit reports they didn't do. Office staff cannot edit medication reports.
5. Reporting PRN (As Needed) medication
If the client has PRN medication, this will appear in the Medication Administration task list too.
To report these, follow the same steps as a standard medicine. The only difference is that you'll be asked to add a note about the amount administered and the reason. While this is optional, it’s great practice!
6. Checking out or completing a visit
To make sure no mandatory medication is left without reporting, we’ve added a safety net. If your organisation has enabled the setting "Carers need to complete all tasks to check out", the app won't let you end the visit until all relevant doses are reported. This will apply for any other task in your task list including visit notes.
The app will pop up with a helpful prompt to remind you if anything was missed.
Video Tutorial
Would like to see and share a video tutorial? By clicking the button with this icon: 🔗 you will be copying the link, after that you can paste it into a Whatsapp, email, Nursebuddy in-app message or any other messaging system of your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should carers do if medication only requires prompting and not administration, but they need to check out from their visits?
Since prompted medication is categorised under the default "Not Given" reason, carers should select "Not Given" followed by "Prompted." This ensures the task is marked as complete and the prompting action is properly recorded in the eMAR and once all doses and tasks are reported, carers can check out.
2. The app does not allow carers to report PRN (as-needed) medication multiple times. What can be done?
If PRN medication needs to be reported multiple times throughout the day, we recommend adding doses under each existing time label. This allows carers to report the same medication at the appropriate time across the day.
