August 2010
Starting on August 9th, RNs can make changes to the eMAR administration times for many medications with a set frequency. RNs can also change the time of the first dose for a new order, or the time of the next administration for a subsequent dose.
When can I change the schedule?—The next administration time or schedule of a medication cannot be changed before it has been approved by pharmacy. Also, because the schedule can only be changed from the To Do List, the order must be reviewed and transcribed first. Be sure to check the time of the first dose and the schedule as you review and transcribe a medication, and if it needs to be changed, follow up on the To Do List.
Restrictions—Some schedule changes are restricted in the eMAR:
Tapers must be rescheduled by having the ordering provider discontinue the original order and write a new one with the appropriate time change. For other orders, contact the pharmacy to determine what changes to the administration times can be made through the pharmacy system.
The schedule for any one medication can be changed up to three (3) times in a 24 hour period
Changes to session 2 or 3 chemotherapy orders must be coordinated with pharmacy
Changes to medications with certain frequencies (such as Q18, 36, 48, M-W-F after dialysis, and weekly) are not allowed
Changes are not allowed if they break the dosing rules for the medication—see the presentation on Time limits and maximum doses per day (Click Open when prompted)
Change Requests—For certain restricted schedule changes, RNs can page the pharmacy via the Schedule Change Request on the eMAR Screen menu to request changes to the schedule. Such changes include:
Scheduling doses close together, such as Ritalin BID at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Changing the schedule more than three (3) times in a 24 hour period
Pharmacy Schedule Changes—When a change to the schedule is initiated in the pharmacy, the patient's eMAR Cues includes an alarm clock icon: 
. On the To Do List, the medication with the schedule change is also flagged with an alarm clock icon. The new schedule must be reviewed and accepted by an RN before the medication can be documented scanned, entered manually, or documented as not given.
Demonstration: eMAR Change the Schedule or Time of First or Next Dose
Instructions:
See also: