When to sign MAR

I graduated in 1994. We were told that after many deaths they were changing the way we charted our meds, effective that year. Problem was: Nurse gave Morphine-went to lunch-was hungry didn't initial- buddy who was covering, goes in to checks on patient who still complains of pain because morphine has not kicked in yet- covering nurse gives morphine. Original nurse comes back from lunch and patient is Dead. That's a problem. We were told to initial the medication at the pull down in front of room (or whatever system is). Then if for some reason it is not given then you go back and circle your initials. (Meaning medication was never ingested). Think about it what would be the rational for a circle around initials that wouldn't be there if you charted after they took it. You would simply put an R for refused or something. I have been teaching this to unlicensed personnel in the Community setting for years. And, It works. They have the MAR open, the bubble pack in front of them, they pop out the med, sign their initials, pop the next med, initial the MAR. Then count all the pills in the cup with the patient as a 4th check. Then patient swallows all at once. If phone rings now, or client has to go to bathroom, or kid gets sick, or someone codes, then MAR is signed, and charge nurse doesn't pass your pills while your doing CPR.