Article on the benefits of eMAR.

1. TO EMAR OR NOT TO EMAR! THAT IS THE QUESTION!
So the “big question” is “Should we implement an eMAR system?”
Before you can answer this question you must answer the following questions:
1. What are the benefits of eMAR?
2. Whose eMAR do we implement?
3. How do we best implement eMAR?
This article will assist you with finding these answers.
Benefits of eMAR
eMAR is probably one of the top 5 conversations in long term care pharmacies and communities
throughout the country. Managed Health Care Associates (MHA) completed a survey of member
pharmacies and one of the data points collected was how many pharmacies are utilizing an eMAR
platform. The chart below represents their findings from 2012 – 2015.
Why should you implement eMAR?
Everyone inourindustryisconcernedwithadheringto the “Five Rights of Medication Administration”,
rightpatient,rightdrug,rightdose,rightroute,and righttime. A properly implemented eMAR will not
onlyassistyourcommunity withadheringtothese rightsbutitwill also provide the following benefits:
SurveyYear MHA Member Pharmacies % of eMAR Utilization
2012 919 37%
2013 1,010 48%
2014 1,092 56%
2015 1,145 56%

2. Reduce your medication pass time.
Reduce and eliminate medication errors.
Improve resident care.
Eliminate end of month paper MAR recap.
Provide real time medication additions and changes.
Send refill requests direct to your pharmacy.
Whose eMAR do we implement?
Take it from an old pro at implementing eMAR. Don’t start your eMAR provider research by going
online andtryingtosetup demonstrationsfromeverycompanyoutthere. Youwill be quickly confused
as to which eMAR platform is right for your community. Most long term care communities have a
workingrelationshipwiththeirpharmacyprovider. Yourpharmacy provider is more than likely already
developed relationships with eMAR providers. As the MHA study shows out of 1,145 member
pharmacies in the US, 56% of them are already working with one or more eMAR providers. Start your
research with your pharmacy. See who they are working with or if your pharmacy is among the other
44% notutilizinganeMAR,see if they are willing to dive into the research with you. Remember when
you eventually decide on an eMAR platform you will need your pharmacy to be a strong partner and
have the resources in place to implement the proper interface between the pharmacy and your eMAR
system. Mostpharmacieshave developedrelationshipswithseveralcompaniesthatoffer eMARandwill
be responsible for your facilities training during the implementation process. Use your pharmacy’s
knowledge and experience to assist in selecting which eMAR package to utilize.
How do we implement eMAR?
The greatestchallenge foryourcommunity isnotselecting the perfect eMAR, it’s managing the change
it creates within your community. Most eMAR platforms are fairly simple to learn, with hands on
trainingandtime,caregivers will be charting like a pro in no time. So how do you manage the change?
Strong partnerships between the eMAR vendor, your pharmacy and your community must be
developed.
The eMAR vendor must be focused on support not only during the implementation but well after this
stage is complete.Afterthe salespitch,the trainingeffort,andthe implementation process this vendor
must be available to the community resolving any issues that may and will arise.
As stated earlier your community must have a strong partnership with your pharmacy provider. This
partnershipisa key element in the success of the implementation. Your community is now interfaced
with your pharmacy and the resident data is a real time link between your community and your
pharmacy.Your pharmacy mustbe willingtoappoint a contact person to manage this data. The contact

3. person needs to be well versed in not only the eMAR program but the pharmacy system and the
interface between the two systems.
Last, but definitely not least, is your community’s management staff. Without total buy in from your
management staff any change being implemented is doomed to fail. Caregivers must see that the
community managersare presentingasolidfrontand assigning valuable resources, materials and time
to ensure the successof thisproject. Your community shouldappointasuperuser that can identify and
resolve issuesaswell astrainnew staff. Super users must develop a strong partnership with the eMAR
vendor and your pharmacy’s contact person.
The keyto a successful transitionfrompaper MARto eMAR isthe relational strengthbetweenthe eMAR
vendor, the pharmacy, and the community management team. A strong partnership should be
cultivated between a customer-focused eMAR vendor, a knowledgeable pharmacy that is wholly
involved, and a community management team that is firmly united.
About the Author
Edward Mason has been in the Long Term Care Pharmacy Industry for over 15 years. His career in LTC
Pharmacystartedat MedicationTechnologySystemswhere he wasProduct Manager / Implementation
& Training Specialist for Robotic Packaging Systems. Having implemented several different eMAR
systems over the last 7 years, Ed is fluent in eMAR technologies. In 2013, Ed joined the Mercury
PharmacyServicesteamasthe Directorof Technologywhere he specializes in implementing electronic
charting systems into the customer base of Long Term Care Communities. Ed's extensive industry
experience and his unwavering commitment to meet the changing needs of Long Term Care
Communities have made him a valued resource in the transition to eMAR. For more information
contact Ed at edwardm@mercuryrx.com.