Computerized MAR programs

nurseT · May 3, 2005

I wish I knew. We have 200 I-Ms, and (we) don't transcribe every one, (I) do it cause I'm the only nurse. I was trying to save money so I have this local printing company provide my MARs. They're real simple. I have been trying to get our computer expert to design a template to match the MAR. Then all I have to do is put the MAR's in my printer. No one is in a big hurry to help me. So, I quit writting an MAR for every little thing. I designed a sign out sheet for the inmates to fill out when they ask for OTCs ( IBs/Tylenols/ ETC) at the med cart. Plus since I have their signiture they can't lie about what they got. Any prescription then gets put on a med sheet as well as sometimes I will let the inmate have something in their cell, like vicks vapor rub for nail fungus. That way if the officers shake them down, the inmate already has my permission to have that item as it is written on a MAR. The inmates are taught and then expected to do their own treatments if needed. So that cut way down on the actual MARs that need transcribed. And it cut medpass down to about 30 minutes. I do not pass, The officers are trained by me and they pass. If the inmates saw me coming, it would be a nightmare. They will all suddenly have a hundred questions because they don't want to fill out a medical request.

betsy1963 · May 3, 2005

We have a computerized MAR program where I work but I don't know whether it was made up by our IT department or is a purchased software. I work in a jail/Schedule One Psychiatric Hospital. The doctor writes the order originally on a blank MAR sheet and then it is faxed to pharmacy. Every month the pharmacy then does a computer generated sheet. When they come we go through and make sure the orders are the same as valid orders from the month before. The doctor doesn't have to sign the new sheets because they continue on until he discontinues the order. (Exception narcotics are only for 7 days and have to be ordered by a psychiatrist- not medical doctor.) Discontinuations are done by the doctor right on the sheet. WORKS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

crjnursewarrior · May 5, 2005

Thanks Betsy and NurseT for your responses to my question. It is a work still in progress. I feel for you NurseT...the job of transcribing all the MARs used to be mine when I worked fulltime night shift, now it is someone else's actual responsibility, but we all kind of help out. I am fortunate to work with a great bunch of nurses and we all try to help out, so that is why we are trying to find some kind of computerized program. There are a couple problems with my set-up compared to that the two of you describe. We are not computer linked with any pharmacy. We don't have computerized charting. Our medical administrator got permission from the corporate office to start doing them on the computer, but there is no software to go by. I am sure I could scan the MAR we use into my computer, but that would leave me doing it all at home and that is not really feasible, as I am wanting some type of program whereby we can go in daily and put in new orders and d/c old orders, also simply delete names of inmates that are released daily. Our pharmacy is not on site, so they don't have anything to do with our MARs. And EVERYTHING we Rx to an inmate has to go on our MAR, even the APAP/IBU. They get everything at the med cart, no KOP meds. And YES the med pass is horrendous! :angryfire Takes about two and a half to three hours nightly. The AM pass is shorter, about 2 hours. The officers passing meds sounds like a GREAT idea to me!!! But I will just keep dreaming....and alas I will continue my search for a software program...surely something like that exists! Thanks guys! :)

kristina g · May 8, 2005

Doing the mars by computer is not difficult to figure out

1. open an excel spread sheet, by trial and error move the cells and rows to fig your mars ie, I moved A col. over to fit just the Rx ares, then move the rows down to fit, we have 13 rows including "ROUTINE" AND space

2. Save it once you print out on plain paper to see it fits

3. Save as a template (ask the help on the top of the tool bar,how to do this)

4. Make a folder with ec Pt's name & /or # (the folder shows on the last tool bar it shows as a folder just click it and you can put in a name)

5. Type meds into ec box, save to folder, print out meds on Mars ( ours print out face down top in printer first) you then have a folder, if meds are changed or added, just open the folder, count down the right # of spaces and enter the new med, you can evan yellow out the old med with the colors on the tool bar, save and print out mars by putting old mars in and printing,

It takes a little bit to set up but it's a real time saver once it is done. contact me if I can help you out

I wish I knew. We have 200 I-Ms, and (we) don't transcribe every one, (I) do it cause I'm the only nurse. I was trying to save money so I have this local printing company provide my MARs. They're real simple. I have been trying to get our computer expert to design a template to match the MAR. Then all I have to do is put the MAR's in my printer. No one is in a big hurry to help me. So, I quit writting an MAR for every little thing. I designed a sign out sheet for the inmates to fill out when they ask for OTCs ( IBs/Tylenols/ ETC) at the med cart. Plus since I have their signiture they can't lie about what they got. Any prescription then gets put on a med sheet as well as sometimes I will let the inmate have something in their cell, like vicks vapor rub for nail fungus. That way if the officers shake them down, the inmate already has my permission to have that item as it is written on a MAR. The inmates are taught and then expected to do their own treatments if needed. So that cut way down on the actual MARs that need transcribed. And it cut medpass down to about 30 minutes. I do not pass, The officers are trained by me and they pass. If the inmates saw me coming, it would be a nightmare. They will all suddenly have a hundred questions because they don't want to fill out a medical request.

CCHP-RN · May 11, 2005

I made me a template for MARs on our computer in an excel spreadsheet. This way, I just typed them in every month. Some of our facilities type them in and leave them, update them monthly and print. I was in a short term facility (less than 60days) so it was easier just to type them each month than to figure out who was still here/not here, etc.

If anyone wants the template, PM me. I will send it to you as an attachment via email.

I also used to type in my nurses names and leave blanks for their signatures & initials.

DUCKGIRL · May 14, 2005

I thought the Pyxis system generates reports (or printed MAR's)

Blackcat99 · May 14, 2005

Good grief!!! Hand written MAR's. Sounds like you must be working in Moundsville, WV. :chuckle

crjnursewarrior · May 16, 2005

Good grief!!! Hand written MAR's. Sounds like you must be working in Moundsville, WV. :chuckle

Not Moundsville Blackcat, but probably the same company that runs the joint at Moundsville! If you are talking about the regional jail/correctional institution there, then I know it is! Hand written MARs...isn't it a JOY!? :angryfire

Blackcat99 · May 16, 2005

Yes. I use to work with Prime Care at the regional jail. I wonder if most Prime Care facilities have to do hand written MAR's? I hope you don't get into trouble for having computerized MAR programs. :chuckle

crjnursewarrior · May 16, 2005

Yes. I use to work with Prime Care at the regional jail. I wonder if most Prime Care facilities have to do hand written MAR's? I hope you don't get into trouble for having computerized MAR programs. :chuckle

Blackcat...thanks for the reply. I am pretty sure that all the PrimeCare facilities do handwritten MARs...at least the regional jails here in WV, since any records that have ever been sent/faxed to us from other jails the MAR was always a handwritten one just like the ones we use. Our Medical Administrator actually asked the Big Bosses at the last administrator's meeting if we could do them on the computer and they said it was fine, that we could figure out a way to do it and go ahead and implement that, but never actually offered to find or supply us a software program to do so, so hence, you see my problem. I have designed several forms for our jail on the computer and so, Medical Adm. asked me to see what I could come up with. I am not doing very well with coming up with anything at this point. :angryfire I need an actual software program...it would not be efficient enough to input all that info at home in my computer, it will have to be something at the jail that all the nurses have access to. So, you see my trouble? When did you work at Moundsville? Did you like it?

Blackcat99 · May 20, 2005

I worked at the regional jail in Moundsville about 3 years ago. I was unhappy working at that jail. Some of the nurses were very nice but 3 of the day shift nurses were totally obnoxious. :chuckle It sounds like you have found a good group of people to work with. Congratulations!! :balloons: Best of luck with your computerized MAR program. :)