Charting meds in the cloud
Giving patients their medications has become a simpler, safer process with Medi-Map, an internet-based platform that is being adopted by all Masonic Care facilities.
Masonic Court in Palmerston North was the first of the Trust’s care facilities to use Medi-Map. Nurse manager Barbara Mouat says the decision to do so was driven by the desire to minimise the risk of errors.
Instead of a bulky folder of paper charts, the caregiver or nurse now uses a dedicated tablet computer to do a medication round. Tapping a resident’s name on the screen brings up their photo, drug chart, and medications due. Any changes to the resident’s chart can be made off-site by the GP using a shared interface with the facility and the pharmacy
“We have worked with Medi-map since its inception. It has revolutionised drug charts. Electronic drug charts allow real time access, giving my staff time efficiencies during the day.
We know that the Medi-map chart is always accurate as we are always notified of any change and only the Dr can change it. Not having to rely on nursing staff to photocopy manual drug charts and fax them is a bonus for the facility and us. Our facilities tell us that the administration rounds now take less time and medication errors have dropped significantly. Medi-map is the future.”
“I have been using Medi-map for several months since it was installed at my local rest home. I have found it easy to learn, and it has really helped us more safely manage the medications for my residents. I can chart medications from anywhere I have access to a PC or tablet. I have found the team at Medi-map very obliging and responsive to my needs, and would recommend it to other rest homes.“
The implementation phase was well thought out and the staff report feeling well supported as they learnt how to use the software programme and the devices. The one on one time spent by your staff meant with the Doctors and Registered Nurses demonstrating how to use the system meant all members of the Ranfurly team quickly became confident and competent in the features and functions of Medi Map.
The Registered Nurses have advised me that they find Medi Map “fantastic”. They say it is very easy to use, and the communication between the Doctors, the pharmacy and the facility is very transparent. Staff are already experiencing a reduction in the time spent chasing prescriptions and ordering medications. They are enjoying having access to the information recorded in the comments section and see this feature as really beneficial to resident outcomes by creating a common understanding about what has occurred.
The management of PRN charting is now much safer as resident specific indications for use has become a mandatory part of the prescribing process. Registered Nurses are also forced to make a comment documenting why PRN medication was given and then required to comment on the medications efficacy.
The Medi Map reporting functions have increased transparency around all aspects of medication management. All parties involved in medication management have access to real time information in addition to being able to access historical data relating to the residents medication history at the push of a button.
Medi Map is clearly designed to support sound safe clinical practice and is very logical and intuitive to use. The Registered Nurses report that they feel Medi Map has provided them with a safer simpler way to manage and administer medication that is far superior and safer than the paper based system they previously used.
The follow up service and support offered by Medi Map post implementation is very professional and timely.
I have no hesitation in encouraging and recommending Medi Map as a key component in the delivery of a safe transparent medication management system that will improve resident health outcomes.