ShiftCare’s Medication Management feature in the mobile app helps carers track, administer, and document medications directly during shifts. This ensures safe and compliant medication administration while creating a full audit trail for providers.
📝 Note: This Premium-only feature is available when enabled in account settings.
Viewing Medications During a Shift
Once clocked into a shift, a Medication pop-up will appear if the client has a medication plan. You can choose to close this pop-up or click 'More details'.
This opens the medication list screen.
You can also access the list any time via the 'eMAR Medications' button.
Multi-Client Group Shifts
If you are working a group shift with multiple clients, tapping 'eMAR Medications' will first take you to a Client Selection Screen.
Here, you will see a card for each client showing their medication status (e.g., overdue, up to date), their number of active medications, and their next scheduled dose time.
Tap a specific client's card to open their individual medication list.
Medication List Screen
The medication list screen provides:
A list of medications grouped by date for that shift ('Per Shift' items will appear at the top).
Clear visibility of both the Generic and Brand names of the medications to ensure safe administration
Medication history from previous shifts for the same client.
A clear view of which medications are Upcoming, Given, Missed, or Refused.
Recording Medication
When a medication is due, tap 'Log now' to open the Record Medication screen.
Here, you can record the outcome by selecting one of the following:
Given: Medication was successfully administered.
Refused: The client refused the medication.
Missed: Medication was not administered.
Spillage/Wastage: Medication was spilled/wasted.
Partial: Requires the wasted amount, administered amount, a reason code, and a free-text description of how it was wasted.
Full Dose: Requires a reason code and a free-text description of how it was wasted.
Select the code for reporting purposes. The code list varies depending on the outcome that was recorded.
Provide a reason/description.
You will be shown a Review Confirmation screen displaying the details (including spillage/wastage info, if applicable) for a final check. Depending on the client's medication plan, you may be required to provide a digital signature before finalising:
Administrator Signature: Sign your name using the on-screen Signature Pad.
Witness Signature: If required, a second staff member must review and sign the screen as a witness.
Click 'Save'. The medication list screen will automatically update the status.
PRN (As Needed) Medications
Medications that are taken 'as needed' have a dedicated workflow to ensure safe dosing limits. If a client has PRN medications, you can access them via the PRN Medications Screen.
When recording a PRN dose, the app provides several safety guidelines:
Dose Counter Badge: Displays how many doses have been given (e.g., "1 of 4 doses given in the last 24 hours").
Next Dose Countdown: Enforces a safe interval between doses. It will display a countdown timer based on the last administered dose and the required cooldown period.
Max Dose Limit: If the client has reached their maximum allowed doses for a 24-hour period, a warning banner will appear, and the "Record Dose" button will be hidden to prevent over-medication.
PRN Usage History: You can view a specific history screen for a single PRN medication to see exactly when previous doses were given.
Clocking Out with Medications
If there are pending medications at the time of clocking out, a pop-up prompt will appear with the following options:
Click 'Log Medication' to return and amend the shift before clocking out.
Click 'Proceed to clock out' to clock out with missed medications. If proceeding, you must provide a reason.
Missed medications will be recorded as Not Administered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why can’t I see the eMAR Medications tab in the shift?
The eMAR Medications tab is unavailable for split shifts.
This is because the medication management feature currently supports single (non-split) shifts only. If a shift has been split, the eMAR tab will not be displayed.
For further assistance with Medication Management in the Mobile App, please contact our Support team using online chat when you're logged into ShiftCare or email our Support team at support@shiftcare.com.