What would you do if a MAR sheet was not available?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Steven,

Thank you for your question.

Medication Administration Records (MAR) are the forms used by most Adult Social Care Providers to record whether or not a particular medication has been taken by a named service user.

I am unclear whether your question refers to:

• The Mar sheet is not for some reason available for you to record whether or not the drugs are being given on this occasion.

In this case you must record on a separate piece of paper that you have given the drug, the name of the service user and the time and date and you must sign that you have administered the drug. I would further advise you to take a copy for yourself and report the matter to the Registered Manager as a matter of urgency.

or

• There are no forms for the administration of drugs to be recorded on.

In this case you must again record that you have given the drug as above and again report the matter to the Registered Manager.

In either instance this is a serious matter and you must protect both yourself and the service user.

Drugs must be given as required by the Doctor’s prescription but care workers have a responsibility to record the administration of drugs.

If you are a QCS subscriber, the Customer Care team can help you locate a copy of the MAR  sheet within your online system. They can be reached on 0333 405 33 33 option 2.

Best wishes,

Sheila